The 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA: A Limited Edition with High-Performance Upgrades

The 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA is a unique iteration of the popular sports car, boasting a range of high-performance upgrades that set it apart from its standard counterpart. The "Type RA" moniker stands for "record attempt," hinting at the vehicle's aim to push the boundaries of speed and performance. As such, the Type RA has been equipped with a new engine, tuned stronger pistons, a new intake, and exhaust system, all designed to enhance its power output.

The engine upgrade is one of the most significant changes made to the Type RA, with Subaru investing in a stronger piston design that allows for increased combustion pressure and improved fuel efficiency. This, combined with the new intake and exhaust system, results in a noticeable increase in power and torque. The resulting performance figures are impressive, with the Type RA capable of producing 305 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque.

In addition to its engine upgrades, the Type RA has also received a range of suspension and aerodynamic tweaks aimed at improving its handling and downforce. Bilstein dampers have been fitted throughout the vehicle, providing improved stability and reduced body roll during high-speed cornering. Meanwhile, the carbon fiber roof has been added, not only reducing weight but also enhancing the car's visual appeal.

Another notable feature of the Type RA is its aerodynamic enhancements, including functional rear vents that help reduce lift and drag. The result is a 1.4% lower drag coefficient compared to the standard WRX STI, making the Type RA more efficient on the road and potentially more competitive in track environments. Furthermore, the vehicle has been equipped with a range of exclusive features, such as adjustable rear wing settings, that set it apart from its standard counterparts.

The BRZ TS Edition: A Limited-Edition Take on the Subaru

In addition to the WRX STI Type RA, the 2018 Subaru also saw the release of the BRZ TS (Tuned by STI) Edition. While sharing many similarities with its standard counterpart, the BRZ TS boasts a number of key upgrades aimed at improving its handling and performance. Perhaps most notable among these is the switch from Primacy tires to Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.

The former Primacy tires were known for their low grip and tendency to understeer, but the new Pilot Sport 4S tires have significantly improved the BRZ's handling and responsiveness. With more grip and better traction, the BRZ TS is now capable of delivering more precise cornering and increased confidence on the road. Furthermore, the additional grip provided by the Pilot Sport 4S tires has allowed Subaru to optimize the car's power delivery, making it feel more playful and engaging to drive.

The Benefits of Limited Editions

One of the most interesting aspects of the Type RA is its limited production run – only 500 units will be produced. This exclusivity comes at a price, with the vehicle commanding a premium over its standard counterpart. However, for those willing to pay the extra cost, the Type RA offers a range of unique features and upgrades that set it apart from other STI models.

These exclusive upgrades include everything from the upgraded brakes and suspension to the additional aerodynamic enhancements. Furthermore, the Type RA's limited production run adds an element of scarcity and collectibility, making it a highly sought-after vehicle among Subaru enthusiasts. While some may argue that the price tag is too high, others will see the value in owning such a unique and exclusive piece of automotive hardware.

Conclusion

The 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA and BRZ TS Edition represent two sides of the same coin – both vehicles boast impressive performance upgrades and a range of unique features that set them apart from their standard counterparts. Whether you're looking for improved handling, increased power output, or simply a more exclusive ownership experience, one of these vehicles is sure to deliver.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enHello everyone and welcome in this video we are checking out the 2018 Subaru WRX STIType RA that type RA standing forrecord attemptDating back to a records attempted Subaru did and then this name has stuck around the type RA so it has some changesversusthe standardSTIYou've got a new intake. You've got a new exhaust the exhaust alone giving about two additional horsepower reducing back pressure by 50%They have actually now sodium filledexhaustValves which are just on the type RA to help pull some of that heat away from the combustion chamberThey have new Pistonsthey say you know the reason behind the Pistons is for the slight amount of additional horsepower and also becauseThey want this vehicle to be able to just go out on the track running all dayThey know that the people buying a type arrayYou know or the type that might?Might want to take it to a track and as a result. They want to make sure that those pistons are goodSo they've strengthened up the pistons a bit and with a retuned calibration for the engineYou get five more horsepowerSo a little disappointing and that they didn't change the horsepower and that you know a 2007 type r AR in japan was making320 horsepower and eleven years laterWe're making 310 horsepower torque is unchanged 290 pound feet the torque curvehowever has improved on the lower range so from2000 to 3000 RPM they have improved it a bitAnd they've also changed out the third gear ratio so four point five percent more aggressive third gear ratioso in combination with slightly more power slightly moreTo work on the low end you know you and perhaps feel a differenceIt feels quick honestly, and I'm going uphill and it feels like a good responsive engine. I'm keeping in the sweet spot about 4000 hereThere's definitely turbo lag as is associated with this engine from 2004 essentially you know changes have been made to itBut the engine does date back a good ways one of the thingsI really like about this is the steering wheel itself I wouldn't say I necessarily feel a huge difference inSteering feel versus the standard STI, but the steering wheel itself is super nice. It's got a nice comfort to itIt's not leather wrapped. It's got this suedeAlcantara wrap to it which feels wonderfulNice amount of like squishiness to it. That's the worldI'm going to use to describe, but I do really like the steering wheel so what are their changes have been made to the carVersus the base STI well, it's got a carbon-fiber roof that has pulled out eight pounds of weightAnd it has lowered the center of gravity just pulling out the roof has lowered the center of gravity two millimetersThey've got new wheels so now it's on 19-inch wheelsversus the 18sThey pulled out weight in several different areasThey say the total weight difference between this and a base STI with Recaros is68 pounds so a decent amount of weight that they have been able to pull out of it 68 pounds lighter than the baseSTI with Recaro seats so how does it feel driving?Good actually it feels it feels quite good. It's there's a little lightness to the steering feelNot you knowI was just driving the BRZ TS and I feel like the steering feedback and feel on that car is superior to thisSTI RABut you know it does what you want it to do as far as the steering is concernedI'd just say that the feedback isn't quite there, and it's a bit lightversus the BRCTs it communicates a bit more with youThrottle pedal you do have turbo lagIf you keep it up in these higher rpms and part of the fact that they change that gear ratio helps you do thatWith third gear keeping it an aggressive third gear ratioSo keeping it above 4000. Yeah, you still have turbo lagI meanit's certainly there so and this is an engine that wants to be in high rpm to make power andUnfortunately if you're below that the boost threshold is pretty high, but they have changed it a bit by changing that torque curveTo you know allow for those lower rpm that lower rpm torque to be there so from 2,000 to 3,000 rpmThey have improved the map a bit so I think that's probably a more important story than the fact that they've added five horsepowerNow what's the challenge with this vehicle?Well the challenge is that they're charging 50 thousand dollars for it, so you know a base STI is$36,000 this is49,000 without destination and with destination it's very close to$50,000 that's a lot of moneySo you get new wheels you get a new suspensionIt's got Bilstein dampers all around you've got a new engine tuned stronger piston so you can stand on the track all dayNew intake new exhaust there are a lot of changes carbon fibre roof, but is it$14,000 worth of changes is that improvement there?I don't think it is it has more down force that has vents in the rear for the rearwheels, which actually are functional they help reduce lift and drag this actually has a1.4. Percent lower drag coefficient versus the base STI which is interesting because you know they've worked on improving the downforce so they have improvedIt aerodynamicallybutThe you know what are you paying for it and part of it like?Realistically has to be said that you're paying for that type of a badge. There's only going to be 500 of these madeThere's only going to be 500 of the BRZ tsMade and so you know it's a limited editionthere are some people who really love these sti's I used to own one it was asolid fun carAnd and you're gonna pay a premium for that so there's a fifty thousand dollar price tag on a car that isn't gonna performNecessarily as a fifty thousand dollar price car should but it has some cool unique features to it that are exclusive to thisversion of the STI that you don't get you know with the base STIAnd you can't get otherwise so it is cool what they've done. It is an enjoyable car to driveI'm gonna get some time to drive it a little bit later on the track and see how I like it thereOne of the things I do want to say I have been driving the BRZ TS as wellAnd I think the biggest change thereTs standing for tuned by STI the biggest noticeable change at least for me is the tire so they've gone from the primacy tiresWhich are low grip, a lot of funIn a BRZ because you can get the tail outAnd they've switched over to michelin ps4s tires so the pilot sport foursAnd those tires have so much more grip than the primacy tires. You can really thrashthatBRZ now and not go over the limit of gripWhich is interesting,I think it's going to be cool on the trackI think for daily driving like, I would never recommend someone to get worse tires from a safety standpoint or performance standpointBut the car is fun with tires that have not quite as much grip because it's a bit more tossableIt's a bit more playfulIt is really cool with the ps4s tires though and having that additional gripitTurns it into a different car and it really would allow it for you know if you're gonna modify that current put more power intoIt those ps4s tires are really gonna. Let you take advantage of itSo really enjoy driving the BRZ. I love the steering feel in it. I love the tire updateI think it's a wonderful car. You know the power isn't there like everyone wants it to be, but it's a funReally well behaved very good drivers car this STI is a bit updated. So if you like the current STIIt's not a huge difference. You've got a bit more low-end torqueAnd and five more horsepower a bit more aerodynamic. You can actually adjust the rear wing, but overall you know it's notLeaps and miles ahead of what the current STI is it drives very similarly it feels very similarlyThey do for 2018 they introduced six potBrakes on the front so six pot Brembos rather than four pot two pots still in the rear and so that is an update thatGoes for all sti's not just this one so a lot of exclusive stuff just for the Type RABut as far as the brakes up front they upgraded thatFor both the regular STI and the type alright the type RA does get drilled rotorsWhere I don't believe the 2018 does so specific to this vehicle drilled rotors?And those upgraded great upgraded brakes, so you know some minor changes, but a lot of changes overallAnd it does you know kind of add to a more fun feel and a more exclusive feel certainly with this carSo thank you guys for watching if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below\n"