Making its debut at the L.A. auto show is Subaru’s new 2010 WRX STI Special Edition. How special is it? Well, on the outside, it actually looks a little less special, with no fog lights in its broad, black front fascia, and halogen headlamps instead of HIDs. Ditto inside, where manual A/C replaces automatic climate control, and a basic four-speaker single-CD system replaces the 10-speaker whomp-whomp pounder in the standard WRX STI.

But beneath the bespoke Aspen White bodywork are the stiff legs of the Japanese domestic market WRX STI Spec C. The rear adds a 1-mm-thicker anti-roll bar, stiffer subframe bushings, revised springs, and shocks that are 29 percent firmer. Up front, the springs become 16 percent stiffer. The charcoal-colored wheels come straight off the Spec C, shod with the same Dunlop SP600s as all other STIs. The 305-hp turbocharged flat-four, adjustable center differential, and standard six-speed manual transmission carry over from the standard U.S.-market STI.

Subaru describes the new Special Edition as “aimed at the driving enthusiast who is willing to trade a few amenities to gain an extra measure of handling performance.” We describe it as an STI that’s traded ribs and milkshakes for chicken breasts and Gatorade. No word on how much, if any, actual weight has been shed, but we’re looking forward to seeing just how much more athletic its new suspension has allowed it to become.

Pricing is TBA, but based on our experience with America’s wild-eyed WRX/STI fans, many of whom perform Japan-spec conversions in their own garages, we think the initial run of 125 cars—hey, it’s a for-real limited-edition special edition for now!—will be gobbled up shortly after they go on sale next spring. To anyone that misses out, or hard-core STI lovers who don’t like white, be patient: the STI Special Edition will become a standard production model available in all of the STI’s current colors once the initial run of 125 is gone.

A touch of JDM suspension tuning flair will soon be making its way to the U.S.-market Subaru WRX STI lineup the form of the 2010 Subaru STI Special Edition -- a model developed by Subaru's famed Subaru Tecnica International high performance subsidary. If you aren't quick enough to get your hands on one of the first 125 units, don't worry: Subaru is making the STI Special Edition a regular part of the lineup after the special edition goes on sale in Spring 2010.

To be officially unveiled at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, the STI Special Edition is a slightly more enthusiast-focused machine that forgoes some of the usual creature comforts in favor of upgraded suspension components from the Japanese-market Subaru WRX STI spec C.
The STI spec C lends its stiffer rear sub-frame bushings, retuned springs, and 1-mm thicker rear stabilizer bar to the STI Special Edition. The WRX STI's 305-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter Boxer four is unchanged, and as you'd expect on a car like this, it's hooked up to Subaru's six-speed manual transmission. But the Special Edition forgoes the STI's HID headlights in favor of halogen units, its 10-speaker sound system is replaced with four-speaker unit, and manual A/C takes the place of the automatic climate control.
Passersby won't be able to discern the STI Special Edition by its 16% stiffer front springs or 29% stiffer rear shocks, but the unique Aspen White color should be a clue. If you can't tell the regular STI's Satin White Pearl from the Aspen White, focus on the 18-in. seven twin-spoke wheels. The charcoal-colored rims -- also taken from the spec C -- would be attractive in silver but are especially eye-catching against the white paint.

The rest of the package is standard STI spec, including the highly customizable powertrain and handling settings. The STI-specific AWD system lets the driver pick among three automatic performance modes plus six manual center differential locking settings. Stopping power is made easy thanks to four-wheel Super Sport ABS disc brakes from Brembo.
A base 2010 WRX STI starts at $35,690 (including destination) -- don't expect the STI Special Edition to stray too far above that mark. The car's exact price will be announced at the L.A. show. This model is set to become part of the permanent STI family and is probably as close as Subaru enthusiasts can expect to get to a U.S. version of the STI spec C.