Subaru Levorg STI Sport R Makes Its Japanese Appearance With WRX Motor
by AutoExpert | 25 November, 2021
In addition to the WRX S4, Subaru announced the revised JDM-spec Levorg lineup, which in addition to a slew of minor model-year upgrades, adds an STI Sport R trim level driven by the turbocharged 2.4-liter motor. The existing Subaru Levorg generation was announced in 2020.
With the WRX, it shares the Subaru Global Platform, some body panels, and even the cabin. The Levorg, like the JDM-Spec WRX S4, is not a full-fledged STI, but rather comes in the STI Sport R trim level, which adds power and sharper design.
The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine makes 271 horsepower (202 kW / 275 PS) and 375 Nm (276.6 lb-ft) of torque. Thanks to the Subaru's basic Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, power is delivered to all four wheels via a CVT gearbox with a simulated eight-speed manual control.
The fact that not all STI-badged Levorgs can get WRX motor is perplexing. The 2.4-liter engine is only available in the STI Sport R trim levels, whereas the STI Sport is equipped with the 1.8-liter engine that drives the rest of the lineup. This turbocharged engine provides the same 174 horsepower (130 kW / 177 PS) and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque as the previous generation, which is sent to all four wheels via a CVT Lineartronic gearbox.
This year's Subaru Levorg isn't much different from previous models. The STI logos on the nose and rear, a little hotter front splitter with an aluminum-style skid plate, 18-inch aluminum rims, and bigger dual exhaust pipes identify all STI classes.
Leather upholstery, a huge 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen in the center console, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the STI-badged, leather-wrapped steering wheel are all standard features on the high-end versions.
Subaru Levorg now includes a sunroof, an electronically controlled tailgate that can open or close via a switch on the driver's seat, and the newest EyeSight X ADAS technologies available in premium trim levels as part of the model year revisions for 2022. The fresh Ceramic White, Sapphire Blue Pearl, and Ignition Red are among the 8 shades offered.
In Japan, the 2022 Subaru Levorg begins from ¥3102,000 ($26,892) for the base-model GT (1.8-liter AWD) and goes up to ¥4092,000 ($35,475) for the top-of-the-line STI Sport EX trim with the same motor. The same styled but WRX-powered Subaru Levorg STI Sport R starts at ¥4,389,000 ($38,051), with the top-of-the-line STI Sport R EX going for ¥4,774,000 ($41,390).
