Motor Trend has a first drive review of the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C up on their site. Sadly, although priced at only $38K, the STI Spec C is only available in Japan. It comes with a bunch of upgrades from the standard STI making handling and endurance better.

“[...] the Spec C is the best-handling Impreza STI the company has ever made.”

“Subaru might have pulled out of the World Rally Championships due to poor showroom sales, but that doesn’t mean it’s lost its rallying spirit. The very fact that it built the limited-edition Spec C, which stands for Competition, is proof of that. STI took the stock Impreza STI and tweaked the bejeezus out of it to create a car that was race-ready for Group N rallying in Europe.”

“A newly fitted ball-bearing design reduces friction inside the turbocharger to improve throttle response, and a clever intercooler water-spray device allows the car to be driven harder for longer at maximum power.”

“The Spec C has a rear mechanical limited-slip differential, replacing the Torsen variety, uniquely fitted STI dampers and springs, a thicker rear stabilizer, and grippier Potenza RE070 tires”.