Subaru is looking to expand its STi performance range, with new high performance versions of other products in its lineup planned for new markets.
According to a report by Autocar, Subaru is in the early stages of the STi ramp-up, testing the waters first in Russia with a higher-performance version of the Forester compact crossover. Unveiled at the Moscow Motor Show, the Forester TS, previously only sold in Japan, gets custom bodywork, an STi suspension and a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine making 259-hp and 256 lb-ft of torque.
A company insider told Autocar that Subaru was looking to leverage it's STi brand more assertively, and that the decision to offer the Forester TS in Russia was a test of the market ahead of launching more products.
"Russia is the perfect market to trial sales of a more aggressive Forester," said the insider. "but it's clear that STi's abilities and experience could work on other cars in other markets. Confining them to WRX projects doesn't make sense when the demand is there."
What isn't yet clear is if Australia could see such a model, though it is likely. In addition, Subaru has long been rumored to be planning an STi version of its BRZ sports car, while other models, like the Liberty could see a similar treatment.
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