Subaru ’s WRX STI is just about as close as you can get to a road-going rally car, but the Japanese automaker will soon soften its toughest model. In a bid to make the WRX STI more appealing to a wider variety of buyers, Subaru will offer the potent four-door with an automatic transmission.
Dubbed the Subaru WRX STI A-Line, the automatic rally racer will make its world debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. The A-Line will retain the STI’s 296 horsepower 2.5L Boxer-four, but will swap out the car’s manual gearbox for a five-speed auto. However, for those still wanting a bit of control over the car’s transmission, Subaru will equip the A-Line with the company’s Sportshift transmission, which includes steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Other changes to the STI A-Line include eight-way power adjustable front seats and a unique Satin White Pearl paint job.
Now word if the U.S. will get a shot at the high-performance hatch, but the STI A-Line hits the Japanese market today.
