It’s also $2000 cheaper than the MY2010 STI, with both auto and manual models retailing for $59,990. To celebrate the arrival of the new range, Subaru invited TMR to Victoria's Phillip Island Circuit. Here we were able to put both manual and automatic variants of the STI sedan to the test. Based on the WRX STI A-Line model that’s sold in the Japanese domestic market, the automatic STI has a conventional five-speed hydraulic auto in place of the standard six-speed manual.
A tiptronic gate and a pair of column-mounted paddle shifters enable manual control of ratios, and the gearbox is programmed to match revs on downshifts to reduce drivetrain shock. But, as we found out, it’s no match for the six-speed manual out on the track. Conditions were optimal at Phillip Island. Visibility was excellent, the tarmac dry and the track was entirely open, with no cones to spoil the fun.
We started the day at the helm of an auto-equipped STI sedan. Exiting from pitlane and through Phillip Island’s sweeping right-hand first turn, the auto STI delivered its 221kW to the road smoothly and progressively. Upshifts, whether done automatically or manually, are direct and don’t interrupt the supply of power. While this is good, changes aren’t, however, as fast or as crisp as those of the Lexus IS F’s eight-speed auto.
The real downside of the auto box (for rapid track work) doesn't take long to appear - on Phillip Island's circuit as early as turn two: a long, double-apex left-hander that is hard to master. Pulling back the left paddle to knock the transmission down a couple of ratios elicits a nicely-matched throttle blip, but the speed of the shift isn’t quite fast enough.
The gap between the auto’s second and third gear also means most corners are exited in third, leaving the STI’s 2.5 litre engine out of the meat of its power band. (Speaking of which, the auto-equipped STI has its torque output cut back to 350Nm, 57Nm less than the manual model.) On the upside, cornering grip under neutral throttle is excellent.Subaru has comprehensively re-worked the STI’s suspension with new bushings, new damper tunes, revised springrates and a 5mm lower ride height.
