There was a special guest at Manchester Subaru in New Hampshire last week, and it wasn’t some B-list celebrity slumming it for a free car. No sir, it was a one of a kind 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STi convertible. You read that correctly, and we have the gallery to back it up.
And all I can say is wow. Remember when the boys over at Top Gear UK converted an old Renault Espace into a convertible? This is like that, but better. It’s somewhere between the ASC Helios (nee Chrysler 300C) and the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet in the, “so crazy it’s just might be cool” category.
I don’t know what’s better: that ‘80s style convertible row bar or the whopping big spoiler on the back. It’s the car you never knew you wanted! We don’t have any information on who built it or why; just this neat-o image gallery to sate your WRX STi convertible craving ways.
Check it out, and don’t forget to leave your bit in the comments section below!
First unveiled in the 2010 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last October, the Subaru Forester S-Edition has now gone on sale in Australia, alongside the revised lineup of the Japanese compact SUV. Boasting a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine delivering 259HP (193kW) and 347 Nm (256 lb-ft) of torque, the new range-topping model is the most powerful Forester ever to be sold down-under.
“We have had increasing customer interest in a more powerful Forester and are delighted to be the first export market for S-Edition, which made its worldwide debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last October”, said Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia. “It combines the best of two winning Subaru formulas – WRX and Forester, the latter of which is firmly entrenched as Australia’s favorite compact SUV.”
The flat-four is coupled to a 5-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, which sends power to all wheels through Subaru’s Variable Torque Distribution all-wheel drive system. To improve handling, engineers fitted the S-Edition with sport suspension and 17-inch Subaru Tecnica International (STi) alloys, wrapped around in 225/55 R17 Yokohama rubber.
With plenty of torque available from down low – and constant between 2,800-4,800 rpm –, the Forester S-Edition sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.5 seconds and can reach a top speed of 228 km/h (142 mph).
Wringing this car's neck will surely result in some scary consumption figures, but, according to the official fuel economy estimates, a laidback driving style can result in the burning of just 10.5 lt/100 km (22.4 US mpg) in a combined cycle, which is downright acceptable.
Compared to its more mundane siblings, the S-Edition also comes with a black grille, various chrome accents, silver roof rails and, for a limited period, World Rally Blue color option.
Inside, sport seats clad in a combination of alcantara and leather, S-Edition seat embroidery complemented by blue stitching, sporty instrument display and special gear shifter set this model apart.
The Forester S-Edition’s base price is AUD $50,990 (about US $51,301 at today’s exchange rates).
As previously reported, the revised Forester lineup benefits from the new naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine, capable of 170HP (127kW) and 235 Nm (174 lb-ft) of torque.
All new models feature a redesigned front grille, while inside the dashboard has a darker finish with matching metallic accents. The standard equipment list now includes seats clad in a more water resistant cloth trim, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, while XS models and above receive reversing cameras as standard.
*Note: The Subaru Forester S-Edition study is featured in the photos below
Destined only for the Japanese market, the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI tS is the latest addition to the performance sedan's range. The highlight of the car is the new lightweight carbon fiber rooftop, but to sweeten the deal, Subaru's STI division also added some more goodies such as a lighter aluminum hood, a front lip spoiler, mutlispoke 18-inch alloy wheels, a rather discrete boot lid spoiler and a sportier tuned suspension. The body-hugging Recaro sport seats, upgraded trim and custom sill plates round off the tS package.
The Impreza WRX STI tS is motivated by a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine with 308-horsepower and is available with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic transmission in A-Line spec. The company plans to keep production limited to 400 units with prices in Japan starting from 4,020,000 Yen or about US$48,100 / €36,700.
For a company that builds the wildly popular in the tuning scene WRX and STI models, Subaru appears to be taking it easy at this year's edition of the SEMA Show.
According to the official announcement, Subaru's offerings on the Las Vegas Convention Center floor will be highlighted by the "fastest STI ever"; a pre-production test model that lapped the Ring in 7:55:00 in the hands of four-time World Rally Champion, Tommi Mäkinen this past summer (see video here).
The other cars on display will be Travis Pastrana's World Record Setting WRX STI, and three custom-tuned WRX STI's, while the company will also showcase the latest available Subaru Genuine Parts and Subaru Performance Tuning Accessories [no photos have been released yet].
"SEMA is the pinnacle of the aftermarket tuning world and the perfect place to show our new line of SPT parts," said Charlie Fishman, national accessory manager, Subaru of America, Inc. "With the launch of the new 2011 Impreza WRX and WRX STI, Subaru is having a record year for Subaru Genuine Parts and SPT accessory sales. The launch of the 4-door WRX STI has rekindled interest for the 2011 SEMA Show."
Subaru said that SRT USA drivers Travis Pastrana and Dave Mirra will be on hand to sign autographs at the firm's booth between 1 and 2 PM on November 2 and November 3rd, while Tommi Makinen will also attend the show this year.
Vehicles to be displayed include:
Tommi Makinen's Nurburgring Fastest Lap WRX STI
SRT USA Driver Travis Pastrana's World Record Setting WRX STI
Get More G's Subaru Performance Tuning WRX STI 2010
Kicker Audio WRX STI
K&N Performance WRX STI
Subiefest Best of Show Winner – Jamarri Whiteside – 2006 WRX STI
There was a special guest at Manchester Subaru in New Hampshire last week, and it wasn’t some B-list celebrity slumming it for a free car. No sir, it was a one of a kind 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STi convertible. You read that correctly, and we have the gallery to back it up. 
