Subaru has a loyal following of gearheads. These die-hard fans cherish each model for what they bring to the table. The Outback is an amazing off-road adventure seeker, while the Legacy offers a reliable commuter car to make it through the snow. Though these standard models are great, true fans beg for something more refined or angry. Each manufacturer attempts to satisfy this carnal hunger by producing high-performance variants of popular models under a special badge worthy of such upgrades.

For Subaru, that badge is STI. The acronym stands for Subaru Tecnica International, and the brand is well-known for producing some of the most excellent JDM performance sports cars the world has ever seen. Getting its start through a desire to win on the WRC stage, Subaru STI has a culture of winning, and that legacy extends to their production models. Those first rally races inspired the fastest attempts motorsports has to offer, and on the most difficult of tracks, the future looks quite bright for the JDM powerhouse!

Related: See How The Subaru STI S209 Intercooler Spray Works In Action

8 In the Beginning

Subaru-Leone
via Nettiauto

Subaru has been around for a lot longer than the STI department, and it took dabbling in a few races to get the performance-minded sector in gear. In 1972, Subaru raced its first performance car, the Leone. The car raced in the Australian Southern Cross Rally, and the AWD platform proved advantageous.

Subaru Legacy WRC
Via Bing

It wasn't until 1988 that Subaru Tecnica International was founded, and by then, the company already had eight years of experience in the World Rally Championship, but STI elevated that performance. From that moment, the STI legacy of turbo, AWD rally cars was born.

7 It’s Not Just the WRX

subaru-forester-sti
via AutogeSpot

When Subaru STI comes to mind, the first instinct is to think of the Impreza WRX. While the WRX set a precedent for the STI brand, the high-performance group doesn't solely produce the WRX. Many other models have seen the STI tuning, even creating a sub-culture for some more unique models.

2018 Subaru BRZ tS Sports Car
Via: YouTube

The Impreza WRX STI may be world-famous, but STI has tuned others. The Forester, for example, received its own STI badging. That off-road beast has 265 horsepower under the hood. Plus, the BRZ features STI tuning under the tS badge, and a handful of Legacy models are tuned as well.

Related: 10 Reasons Why The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Can Still Compete With The Subaru STI

6 World Rally Championship Success

subaru rally nitro wrx sti 2020 2021 2022 2019 2018 2016 2017
subaru.com

STI got to work right away in 1988 to produce a WRC-worthy vehicle. By 1990, it was successful in capturing the Safari Rally title. Though success wouldn't happen at the WRC immediately, the STI would finally win in New Zealand in 1993.

Subaru WRX Rally
Via: Dirtfish

Once the dam was broken, the trophies would keep pouring. From the 1993 win in New Zealand, Subaru would go on to win several more WRC titles. All-in-all, the Impreza model won an impressive 46 rallies, making it the undisputed greatest WRC car to date.

5 The Birth of the Subaru GT Racer

2019-subaru-brz-gt300
Via Reddit

STI and WRC were synonymous, but that partnership would officially end in 2008. Subaru STI still puts rally cars through their paces, but the real focus shifted to the GT racers.

Subaru BRZ GT Via Wikimedia Commons
Via Wikimedia Commons

Since 2012, Subaru has fielded a high-performance GT version of the BRZ. The BRZ resulted from a focus on the Japanese Super GT series. That focus would bear fruit in 2013, as the BRZ would take five pole positions. Since then, Subaru STI has been pushing the boundaries of GT racing ever further.

Related: 9 Things We Just Learned About The Subaru STI E-RA

4 Not Just Performance Models

The front of the WRX STI
Via bringatrailer.com

STI isn't limited to producing only cars. The extensive research and development that goes into every component are available in aftermarket parts. What's even better, these parts aren't from some shady unknown company but are manufacturer-approved, leading to peace-of-mind modifications.

Subaru STI badge via Wikimedia Commons
via Wikimedia Commons

The obvious models have the most selection. Models like the Impreza, WRX, and BRZ have many parts that bear the STI badging and add performance. Even more impressive, other models such as the Forester, Legacy, and even the XV have STI parts that unlock potential power.

3 Highest of Performance Models

Rare 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi
Via: Facebook

Every car company honors memorable cars. Subaru is no different, and the STI special editions offer high-performance and high expectations but come at a hefty price. These special editions are produced in limited quantities and feature the best that model provides.

 Subaru WRX S209
Via Automobilemag.com

Several special edition models bear the STI name. Most famously, the 22B STI sold out in mere days. With only 400 ever produced, their value has skyrocketed with clean examples selling for well over $100,000. In addition to the 22B, each STI features a high-performance S201 number through the current generation S209.

Related: 2016 WRX STI Vs 2021 WRX: Here's Which Subaru To Go For

2 Nürburgring Influence

SubaruWRX STI Type RA
via Motor1

The exit from the WRC didn't mean the end of racing for STI. In fact, the focus only shifted to other racing aspects, including running the Nürburgring. Subaru STI first participated in 24 Hours Nürburgring in 2008, and each year has driven it to perform better.

2019 Subaru WRX STI NBR nurburgring win
Via Torque News

The track influence continues to shape the legacy of STI. Since 2008, Subaru STI has won six SP3T class victories. The refinements in the cars STI has fielded produced a track-best 7 minutes and 55 second time.

1 The Future of Subaru STI

subaru-STI E-RA
via electrek

As the world moves away from combustion engines, many questions surround the future of high-performance cars. Though Subaru released a much-needed face-lifted WRX, fans are still waiting for the next-generation WRX STI, a vehicle that teases upwards of 400 horsepower!

subaru solterra sti (cnet)
via cnet

At the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon, Subaru made a statement by revealing two STI concept cars that blew the car world away. The all-electric Subaru E-RA is an 1,100 horsepower beast that's sole existence is to crush the Nürburgring record. Its name literally is Electric-Record Attempt. Plus, the Solterra EV got the STI treatment that looks to impress doubters of the EV world!