Subaru fans have spent years waiting for the legendary STI badge to make a proper comeback. While concepts like the STI S210 Prototype and wannabe trims such as the WRX STI Sport♯ have appeared in recent years, the current VB-generation WRX still hasn’t received a true STI variant. Adding to the growing list of “almost” performance specials is a new limited edition from Australia called the Subaru WRX Club Spec Evo.
A Cult WRX Nameplate Returns
Collecting Cars
The Club Spec name has been part of WRX history in Australia since the early 2000s. These models typically arrive toward the end of a WRX’s lifespan and focus mostly on aesthetic upgrades. Subaru Australia revived the badge to celebrate a milestone of 60,000 WRX sales in the country. The new Club Spec Evo is based on the tS Spec B – similar to the US-spec WRX tS – and will be limited to just 75 units nationwide.
The most obvious highlight is the color. Finished in Sunrise Yellow, the car stands out even among the bold styling of the current WRX. And because it’s based on the tS Spec B, it benefits from 19-inch wheels (finished in matte black), gold Brembo brake calipers, drilled rotors, and a large rear wing. On the inside, things are much more subtle. Perforated Ultrasuede seats have a yellow undertone, while matching stitching appears across the dashboard, steering wheel, and door panels. Each example also receives an individually numbered interior badge, emphasizing its limited production run. big-winged
Manual-Only and Familiar Hardware
Subaru
As previously mentioned, the Club Spec Evo models have mostly cosmetic changes. Therefore, under the hood, it keeps the same mechanical setup found in the tS Spec B. That means a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine producing 202 kW (271 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. Power is still sent to all four wheels through Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, and fortunately, Subaru only offers its limited-edition yellow WRDX with a six-speed manual transmission – no CVTs in sight. And since it’s based on the tS Spec B, it already comes with adaptive dampers, Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, and a limited-slip differential.
Like previous Club Spec models, the upgrades are mostly cosmetic. Under the hood sits the same 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine found in the tS Spec B, producing 202 kW (271 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission – no CVT in sight. The tS Spec B foundation also means the Club Spec Evo already benefits from performance-focused hardware like adaptive dampers, six-piston Brembo front brakes, and Recaro seats. Interestingly, Subaru Australia recently said the STI brand is not dead and that several performance-focused projects are underway. Until we have tangible proof that the STI division isn’t extinct, we only have these knock-off STIs.
A Special WRX Most Fans Won’t Even See
With just 75 examples planned, the WRX Club Spec Evo will be more than five times rarer than an Impreza 22B, and most of them are probably already spoken for. That is, if they can stomach its price tag. Pricing starts at 63,190 AUD ($44,405), a noticeable jump over the standard WRX, which begins at 48,890 AUD ($34,353). And if rumors about the next-generation WRX going fully electric turn out to be true, this bright yellow special may end up being one of the last old-school turbo boxer specials of its kind.
