Released months after the more pedestrian WRX for 2008, the STI is Subaru's performance flagship, taking cues from the rally cars it builds in the World Rally Championship, though that car hasn't turned a wheel in competition yet.

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Anyhow, the STI is a serious performance car. Based on the Impreza hatchback, it nevertheless sports unique body parts to make room for the big 18-inch wheels and wider track (1.3 inches wider up front and 2.5 inches in the back). Only the front doors and hatch are shared with the lesser WRX, apart from the main body shell of course. The rear doors, for example, are unique to the STI, as they are blistered to flow into the fatter rear fenders.

The power from the 2.5 liter boxer four is prodigious: 305 horsepower at 6,000 rpm along with 290 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. The only transmission is a six-speed manual. Fuel economy for the STI is 17 mpg in the city cycle and 23 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA.

The all-wheel drive system is more complicated and user-customizable from run-of-the-mill WRXs, with a Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) controlling the torque split.

More standard fare on the STI includes HID headlights, 18-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, Brembo performance brake system and STI exhaust system with quad stainless-steel outlets on the outside.

Inside, buyers get an 80 Watt 10-speaker audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer with MP3/WMA and auxiliary audio jack, STI-design instrumentation with aluminum trim rings, center-mounted tachometer with adjustable tachometer red-line warning with audible indicator, leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel with audio system and cruise control buttons, STI-design front seats with fixed integrated head restraints and embroidered STI logos and Graphite Gray Alcantara upholstery with Carbon Black leather bolsters.

A BBS Package upgrades the wheels to 18-inch 18-spoke BBS aluminum-alloys in either gold or sliver and adds fog lights.

Once, that's purchased, a Navigation package can be ticked off, replacing the stereo with a 100-watt 10-speaker audio system with single-disc in-dash CD player and MultEQ audio enhancement built into the 7-inch touch screen LED that provides navigation information, trip information, outdoor temperature display, fuel economy and maintenance log. Auxiliary inputs and Bluetooth support give the system multimedia capabilities.

A lengthy list of dealer options can also be added to the STI.