Economies of scale. The 2.5 is now in every line-up sans the Tribeca. Sharing the same components over multiple platforms = less production cost = more profit. Simple business move. It just also happend that the 2.5 turned out to be a decent motor as well, win-win for the consumer and the company.

Japan is the only country to keep the 2.0 because of WRC regulations. WRC cars must not exceed 2.0L and must be based off a production car model with XXXX amount of units produced each year.

 

This is correct, the Spec-C is much better balanced than the regular STi. How much? Watching a battle between the spec-c, sti v-limited, evo mr, nsx-r, evo gsr, evo rs, the spec-c finished 1st while the sti vlimited finished last. The vlimited was driven by Arai, the japanese SWRT driver.

 

Hopefully Subaru's profits have increased do to the similarities between models so they can start passing on the savings to consumers. Subaru took away a lot of the trim specific features of the Impreza with the 06-07 models, especially between the WRX and STi, which most definately cut the costs of production. I would be bummed if I had an STi because not only do the 06+ WRXs have 2.5 liter engines, but they are extremely similar in appearance as compared to the difference between prior WRX and STi's. The scoops, sideskirts, and many other small cosmetic features became nearly identical with the newest Imprezas. All it takes is a roof spoiler and wing with some fog covers to make a WRX appear to be an STi.

So the JDM WRX and STi are 2.0 liter? And they are factory tuned with the same horsepower as the USDM 2.5 liters?

 

Yep.

 

I've seen the same Best Motoring video. I'm not going to base my guesses on the Spec C's handiling soely on that. Winning a race depends more on the driver than the car.

I have no doubts that the C is a better version, but I'm not sold on it just winning a race in one BM video. I'm not a big fan of bench racing, but I'm going to give the standard STI the benifit of the doubt and say its still close to the Spec C's abilities.

 

You're a bit mistaken in that statement. Homologation specials were made for Group A, not WRC. WRC is closer to the proposed Group N series of the 1980s, and it doesn't not require homologation. It requires a car based on the same chassis/looks to be built somewhere in the world. For example during Group A days, Ford homologated the Escort WRC by producing the Escort Cosworth RS. With the WRC class, it doesn't need to do it (therefore there is no AWD 300hp Focus... yet).

Actually it's not just Best Motoring. I read multiple articles in automobile magazines and on auto websites which say that the Spec C is a BIG improvement over the regular STI handling wise. I'm not saying that the STI doesn't handle well, because it does, but where the STI starts understeering (biggest problem with Imprezas) the Spec C keeps gripping.

 

and the spec c type ra r is sex on wheels

 

Yes, yes it is. In fact, that's an understatement, lol.

 

ehhh .. hasnt the Rs always been 2.5.. =?