The Subaru WRX STI "EJ20 Final Edition" is a double tribute to the brand's history

Subaru bids farewell to one of the engines that have shaped the character of its cars with the Subaru WRX STI “EJ20 Final Edition

If you are a follower of the world of rallying and, in addition, a fan of Subaru, knowing that only 555 units will go on sale for the Japanese domestic market, JDM, of the Subaru WRX STI “EJ20 Final Edition” may well bring a tear to your eye.

And that is the number of units produced of the last samurai with the EJ20 engine that the world will get to know. A tribute to a lineage that began 30 years ago with the introduction of this engine in the Subaru Legacy and 25 years since its inclusion in the Subaru Impreza, and which will end in 2019, when on 23 December the company that takes the Pleiades constellation as its image closes the order book for any version of the WRX STI.

An engine that made an entire generation’s heart beat and vibrate

This EJ20 Final Edition can be reserved only at dealerships in Japan from tomorrow, 24 October, until 11 November. Should the 555 requests be exceeded, a draw will be held, and the lucky winners will have to pay the sum of 4,851,000 yen.

For this price, besides a car that will never again feature this engine, the 2-litre EJ20 powerplant, unlike the 2.5 block fitted to the units we have on the European market, whose cylinders are arranged horizontally and opposed.

Thus, this car delivers 308 CV at 6,400 rpm and 422 Nm of torque from 4,400 rpm, which is channelled through a 6-speed manual gearbox to all-wheel drive AWD.

In addition, the EJ20 Final Edition package features distinctive mechanical elements such as the specific pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft, or the balanced clutch and flywheel cover, an improved braking system with perforated and ventilated brake discs, brake calipers painted silver, plus the beautiful 19-inch gold BBS wheels with 245/35 tyres.

The distinctive EJ20 Final Edition trim

Other distinctive exterior details of this car are the front grille strip with its central line in the characteristic pinkish tone Cherry Red Mall of the STI department; the side badge behind the front wheels changes from metallic grey to black background, with the same colour for the three magic letters. At the rear, the rear bumper features air extraction grilles and also the pink stripe detail already seen on the S209 edition.

As for comfort and safety, besides the advanced safety package as standard, it features the leather-upholstered steering wheel with silver contrast stitching, the dashboard has matt-finish carbon-fibre-look details, and the seatbelts swap the usual black for the predominant silver.

Available in the three usual colours of the range, the traditional WR Blue Pearl blue, the elegant Cristal Black Silicia black or the distinctive Crystal White Pearl white; choosing the latter colour alone would add 33,000 yen to the price of this WRX STI “EJ20 Final Edition, which marks a full stop to a way of understanding mechanics, the automotive industry and motorsport.