Subaru Technica International, Subaru’s performance division, will reveal three new special editions for Tokyo Auto Salon.
Subaru fans are sure to be heartened by the news that STI will feature three new models at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon.
All three are set to become Japan-only specials, but unlike some of the legendary STI special editions of the past, the 2026 STI trio offers a more subtle take on the STI formula.
The Levorg STI Sport R-Black Limited II STI Performance builds on the Japanese-market Levorg STI Sport EX grade, with added extras including a black pack for the lower front bumper, mirror caps, 18-inch alloy wheels, and antenna.
STI badging and an STI muffler with exhaust tips embossed with the STI logo are also included.
On the inside, the Levorg STI Sport R-Black Edition features Recaro front seats with Ultrasuede upholstery and yellow perforated inserts, complementing the Sunrise Yellow exterior.
Under the bonnet, the Japanese Levorg STI Sport R models differ slightly from the Australian WRX Sportswagon, powered by the same 2.4-litre turbocharged Boxer engine producing the same 202kW, but with 375Nm of torque instead of the 350Nm maximum quoted for Australia.
A similar range of changes and upgrades will be applied to the WRX S4 STI Sport R-Black Limited II STI Performance.
Again, the special edition will feature Sunrise Yellow paint, black 18-inch wheels, and black finishes for the mirror caps and antenna, with the regular WRX’s black lower body kit and wheel arch moulding carried over.
The interior also gains Recaro seats with yellow perforated inserts and suede-look trim on the instrument panel.
Like the Levorg, the WRX S4 for Japan has the same 202kW/375Nm state of tune for its 2.4-litre turbo engine.
The third STI-enhanced model is one with less of a sporting pedigree than the last two, but nonetheless, STI has turned its attention to the Impreza hatch.
The Impreza ST-H STI Performance Edition with Plus Package follows the same basic theme, with a black body kit, black wheels and mirror caps, and what Subaru calls a “sporty yet casual design”.
Unlike the Levorg and WRX, the Impreza ST-H STI Performance Edition goes without a bespoke paint colour and retains its regular interior without a Recaro seat upgrade.
STI will also use the Subaru stand at Tokyo Auto Salon to show its motorsport involvement, with the WRX VBH Japan Rally Championship car, BRZ GT300 car, and an all-new Super Taikyu Series car for 2026, where Subaru has previously fielded a version of the BRZ.
The Tokyo Auto Salon show officially opens on January 9.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
