Ultra Rapid

The World Rally Championship is an event that attracts many fans. Ever changing road conditions and grueling terrain means that drivers have to be both skilful and fearless. The cars that have resulted from this motorsport are awe inspiring as the people who handle them! The Lancia Fulvia Coupe, Audi Quattro, Lancia 037 and the Ford RS200 are some of the many greats that dominated the rally scene in its hay day.

The Japanese managed to make a splash on the WRC scene with their turbocharged and four wheel drive equipped Mistubishi's, Toyota's and Subaru's. Propelling people like the great Tommi Makinen and Collin McRae to eternal fame.

Thanks to rally homologation rules, manufacturers have to release a stipulated amount of cars to the general public, albeit in a slightly detuned form. 

These cars may look pretty similar to their racing equivalents and perform in a similar fashion but lack most of the redeeming features of a real race car. But on and off, manufacturers get the crazy notion of releasing these thinly disguised race cars for the road, and Thank God they do.

The Subaru Impreza WRX STi Version IX Spec C RA-R (Quite the mouthful that is) is one of those cars by the wizards of Subaru Technica International. When the S204 was released it was considered the ultimate rendition of an STi on the GD chassis, but this was to be proven wrong. Subaru Technica engineers managed to push the envelope even further when it came to the RA-R. 

The RA-R isn’t just another WRX with a few more STi bits bolted on to it. The way the RA-R sounds, feels and reacts is eerily similar to the Super Taikyu WRX race car.

Subaru only manufactured 300 of them and there are 3 of them here. They were also offered only in WR Rally Blue Mica, Pure white and a vivid Yellow that was limited to only 50 cars out of the 300. 

These cars can be recognized from this STi pink line that encompasses the center grille's inner surround that is only offered on this model.

The RA-R also has lighter glass, thinner roof construction, reinforced strut tower braces, a rear crossbar and an aluminum trunk lid. 

There is no sound deadening carpet on the inside either. Open the boot are you're greeted to bare metal. 

The boot also houses an enlarged water canister for the Inter cooler

The iconic RA hood scoop comes as standard too. 

The body styling is essentially left alone, save for a black front lip spoiler and roof vane and an optional rear carbon fiber spoiler.

The RA-R is made to be as basic as possible so it doesn't even come with those stickers on the front bumper. The owner thought it would be nice to stick it on just to differentiate it from the other Version IX's. 

The rear bumper also comes with a serious looking diffuser. 

The side skirts were installed by the previous owner somewhere down the line. Subaru deemed them unnecessary on the RA-R.

The white-painted 18" STi wheels wrapped in Bridgestone rubber, make quite the contrast on the immaculate blue paintwork, and a peek through the spokes reveals the car's 6-piston brakes.

Prospective buyers were also offered 18 inch BBS wheels in silver just in case they didn't like the rally look of the white wheels. 

The ultra sticky Potenza Adrenalin tires look great thanks to a funky tread pattern and perform even better when pushed hard.

The upgraded and re-tuned suspension gets dropped 15 mm compared to the base car and the anti-roll bars have been beefed up, while spring and shock damping rates are firmer by 20 percent.

The RA-R feels like its rear-driven. Get the corner right and the handling balance is absolutely neutral. Turn-in is crisp, with little body roll.

Most impressive is how it brakes. The front brakes are mono block six-pot calipers with grooved discs front and rear (first time that this generation isn't equipped with Brembos) and ABS. Tuned for maximum performance, they provide eye socket popping brake forces every time with little fade! 

Under the hood is a specially prepared version of Subaru’s boxer engine. 

A reflashed ECU, improved breathing up front, freer-flowing exhaust. a larger turbo and an air-cooled engine oil cooler help provide the eye watering 320 bhp and 318lb ft lbs of torque.

Silicone coolant hoses and a Cusco slam panel cover spruce up the engine bay. 

What differentiates the turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four in this car from that of the stock car,besides the output is the sound. Tap the accelerator pedal, and the four-cylinder sings a deep, throaty song.

The light weigh approach is carried forward in the interior department as well. 

Simple luxuries like power windows are optional extra's on these cars

The boys at STi were so anal they even ditched the gauge start up procedure on the RA-R. Probably saved them a few grams! 

The RA-R's interior is a sea of black fabric and trim unlike the standard version. A set of non reclining Recaro's seats was offered if you wanted to make your car uninhabitable.

Among the darkness this caught my eye...

Carbon fiber hand brake cover saves more weight I presume? 

GFB boost controller display panel matches the other dark trim in the interior. 

And to give the driver valuable data on whats happening.....

Triple Defi gauges have been installed. The Pod enclosure was pretty cool as it had a space cleared off for the factory fitted clock! Shocking because I thought they would get rid of that as well!

The Defi controller is neatly hidden away but still accessible! 

When the first RA's came out in the GC chassis the controllable differential was pure magic. Its still present today in slightly advanced form.

The inter cooler can be cooled automatically or at the touch of a button. 

So is this the ultimate STi version we've had here? We've tested so many Subaru's on Octane Heads its hard to choose! 

Compared to the R205 we've tested (Click here to read more about it) the RA-R is a car turned up to eleven. If you want the next best alternative to a full blown rally car this is it right here. 

I shall leave with this. For more interesting car features and pictures check out our facebook page here. A massive Thank you to Chang Vin Tsai for letting us feature his ride. 

Words and Photography by 

Charith Kulasiri