STi for the price, but Evo has edge

We quite like the latest STi, but the car we love – at least for its feral, on-the-edge driving enjoyment – is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII.

It is the one to choose if you're shopping blue-against-red, Subaru against Mitsubishi, in the turbo-traction-action class.

The latest STi is a very quick car and nicely built with good gear, which makes sensible shopping at $56,630.

But sensible doesn't tick the box for people who are looking for the hottest, slickest drive in a class where the benchmark is performance from the Gran Tourismo style of videogame thrills.

If this all sounds a bit juvenile and pointless, that's probably true.

But car companies use their hero cars to bait the hook for sensible showroom stuff.

Which is why Subaru Australia has just uncorked a freshened WRX STi – as well as 65 new STi sports parts which can be applied across the WRX lineup.

The only really major change to the STi is a subtle one in the central console – a switch to vary the torque split in the car's all-wheel-drive system, to also vary the handling balance in corners.

It doesn't sound much, but the Lancer Evo uses a clever computer balance control complete with a yaw sensor to detect cornering slip, and so the STi – flagship of the Impreza range and the final step up in the WRX line – had to have something with which to fight back.

It's come in the 2005-model WRX STi, which also has aggressive new Bridgestone tyres, DataDot anti-theft protection, re-calibrated suspension, new-design 8-inch-wide alloy wheels and even improved fabric on the sides of the sports front buckets.

Body-wise, the 2005 WRX STi has a cover for the floor to smooth airflow and rear flares and bumper that have been tweaked to cover the wider wheels.

But the price – $56,630 – is the same, and that, crucially, brings it in significantly below the $61,990 of the Lancer Evo.

It means it also undercuts the Mazda RX-8 and Nissan 350Z, which could also be competing for attention from the sort of people who would be considering the ultimate WRX.

ON THE ROAD
WE'VE driven the sporty Subarus many times. They have been plenty of fun, but a little different each time.

This time, the week-long run with the latest WRX STi came straight after testing the Lancer Evolution VIII. It quickly put things into perspective.

Changes to the suspension make the STi ride and handle a little nicer, but it doesn't come out as fast as expected.

On our favourite twisty corners, even well below 100km/h, the car was a bit more stable and a touch more responsive.

The STi is a little noisier on the grippy, wider tyres, which come with a competition-style tread pattern. But the seats are great, the six-stacker CD system is pretty good, and we like everything from the feel of the steering wheel to the new alloys. And the cruise control is great for freeway work.

Still, we have to compare the STi against the Evo. And that's when we realise the engine isn't as smooth or as responsive, and the car doesn't feel as quick.

It still slingshots to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds, but you have to get the engine spinning past 4000revs before you get much response. By then, the Evo is already away.

But the STi does have a much more substantial feel than the Evo, and the general quality and equipment is also better.

It drinks premium unleaded at 13.6 litres/100km during our test, less when cruising, which reflects the work needed to keep it moving.

The touted change to the centre differential? Subaru says the torque split can be adjusted from 50:50 to 35:65 biased to the front to make the car more enjoyable and responsive to drive.

We really couldn't feel much, despite taking the car to the skid pan at Subaru Interactive @ Docklands, the company's flagship dealer in Melbourne.

The STi is a great 21st-century performance car, but it's not as sharp as a Lancer Evo. We'd take the base WRX and spend some of the savings on STi sports parts.

THE BOTTOM LINE
THE WRX STi is an extreme machine that is great for a fun run, but will find it tough to top a Lancer Evo.