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2015 Subaru WRX: July/August 2014

Literally minutes after snapping the photo you see above, I was soaked - hit by the third round of storms that brought absolutely insane rainfall to Detroit this week. Amateur mistake, right there; if it looks like rain's a-comin', it's a-comin'. So if you're going to take pictures of the car, do it before it's too late.
But the thing is, I was having way too much fun driving around the suddenly empty streets of Detroit to worry about handling my photo shoot in a timely manner. Folks had been cautioned to stay off the roads ever since the rain first hit. Floods had shut down several of our major freeways, not to mention many surface streets. The threat of more severe weather had put caution in the air, forcing folks to batten down the hatches and settle in for even more horrendously wet weather.
The long-term 2015 Subaru WRX, however, eats this stuff up with a passion. Inclement weather? The turbocharged, all-wheel-drive, endlessly grippy Subaru just wants to play. And after getting to know our WR Blue WRX since its delivery in June and solidifying my belief that it's a total riot, even around town, I was not about to ignore Rex's desires to go play in the rain and make mischief on the deserted streets. Empty on-ramp antics were great fun, and tossing the car around corners in the wet showed no signs of slip. Ever. Wet hair and a damp t-shirt? Worth it.

The refreshed 2018 Subaru WRX starts at $27,855

Subaru has always staggered the release of new versions of the WRX and STI performance twins from that of the more pedestrian Imprezas. While the latter just received a ground-up redesign for 2017, the once and future kings of all-wheel-drive performance sedans make do with some new options and massaged over styling. Pricing for the new cars, which go on sale sometime in the next few months, has finally been announced. Pricing for the pair is on the high-side of the competition. The 2018 Subaru WRX starts at $27,855. That nets you a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder making 268 horsepower, a six-speed manual, and Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive with torque vectoring. For comparison, the Ford Focus ST starts at $25,650 while the Volkswagen GTI starts at $26,415. Pricing for the new Honda Civic Si hasn't been announced, but expect it to be somewhere in the mid $20,000 range. Stepping up to the STI will set you back at least $36,955, though you get a more powerful 305-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer four and a more advanced version of Subaru's all-wheel-drive system. Plus, you get the big rear wing, and that's worth it's weight in Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution owner tears. The far more powerful Ford Focus RS meets the STI dollar for dollar at $36,955 while the Volkswagen Golf R retails for an eye-watering $40,195. Like the Civic Si, pricing for the Civic Type R has yet to be revealed. Both the WRX and STI get updated styling on the front bumper, with larger grilles and new black trim. Additionally, the $32,455 WRX Limited and all STI models feature new LED headlights. The STI also gets new 19-inch wheels and upgraded Brembo brakes. The WRX Premium has an optional $2,050 performance pack that adds Recaro seats with an 8-way power driver's seat, red-painted brake calipers with Jurid brake pads, and deletes the moonroof to reduce weight. Other changes include the latest version of Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, a larger infotainment screen, new EyeSight driver assist features (only on CVT-equipped WRX models), upgraded sound deadening, and upgraded interior materials. Both models receive new roof rack mounting brackets. Look for the 2018 Subaru WRX and 2018 Subaru STI to hit showrooms in the next few months. Related Video:

Subaru looks back on record-setting WRX STI from 2011 Isle of Man

In what we can only presume/hope is a precursor to the launch of the next-gen WRX STI, Subaru has released three videos now giving us a look back at the history of the STI-badged WRX models. In this third video, Dominick Infante, national manager of product communications at Subaru of America, got ahold of the automaker's 2011 WRX STI that broke records for the Isle of Man TT Challenge a couple of years ago.
In 2011, rally driver Mark Higgins piloted this car to a lap speed record of 115 miles per hour and a lap time record of 19:56.7 around the 37.8-mile course. The race-prepped STI, which Infante refers to as an "STI on steroids," features a beefed-up suspension, a wonderful-sounding open exhaust and the removal of the speed limiter to go with full roll cage and racing seats and harnesses.
Scroll down to see - and hear - new driving footage of this 2011 WRX STI with Infante behind the wheel as well as some race footage from 2011 - including a near-disaster Higgins averted at 150 mph. Also, be sure to check out the previous videos from Subaru for the 1998 Impreza 22B STI and a 2004 WRX STI.