Topline: On Thursday, Subaru Technica International and Subaru announced a new variant of the WRX to celebrate STI's 30th birthday in the form of the WRX STI Type RA-R, a still-hotter version of the $48,995 WRX STI Type RA. What's New: The RA-R shaves a marginal amount of weight from the base model WRX STI, losing just 10 kilograms (22 pounds), much of which likely comes from ditching its rear wing; the carbon fiber mirrors are mostly there for looks.

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More substantial is the kick up the backside that STI gave the aging EJ20 engine, which will make 325 horsepower and 319 pound-feet of torque, respectively 20 and 29 above base STI levels. This power was gained with a modified exhaust, redesigned intercooler shroud, intake, flywheel, and a retuned engine control unit. Though the RA sheds more weight on paper than the RA-R, the power gap between the two is more significant, and the RA-R's weight advantage over Japan's previous exclusive performance model, the WRX STI S208, stands at 30 kilograms. Many previous special-edition STIs boasted their weight with the spare tire and flat repair kit removed, though Subaru does not advertise the RA-R's weight with these absent. We speculate it to be in the neighborhood of the RA.

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The RA-R will ride on springs and shocks developed exclusively for the model, and will keep the car's four 245/40ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires in check on all surfaces. Traction is further augmented by active brake vectoring, actuated through new Brembo units. 18-by-8-inch wheels house 18-inch drilled rotors, squeezed by silver-painted, six-piston calipers in front, and two-piston rear.

Subaru WRX STI Type RA-R

Just 500 RA-Rs will be built, all with six-speed manual transmissions, and sold for 4,628,000 million yen before tax ($41,609). Buyers have to get their orders in before Dec. 17, when orders close, provided Subaru doesn't run out well beforehand. Quotable: "Developed under the concepts of 'light weight', 'speed' and 'enjoyment', the TYPE RA-R pursues 'Running, Turning and Stopping', the fundamental performances of an automobile," states Subaru in its press release on the RA-R. "With the power-to-weight ratio exceeding that of S208, the Type RA-R brings 'speed' and 'enjoyment' at the highest level STI complete models have ever brought."

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