The limited edition Subaru WRX RS40 has been released in Australia, marking the last of the current generation of the iconic sports car.
In showrooms from the end of August, Subaru Australia says the WRX RS40 adds more than $7000 in features that pay tribute to the brand's motorsport heritage.
Priced from $44,490 ($4500 more than the standard WRX), the Subaru WRX RS40 features a front lip spoiler, rear spoiler, short shift gear assembly and flexible tower strut brace all developed by in-house performance division STI.
The cabin scores Recaro sports seats with blue alcantara inserts and a numbered RS40 build plate, identifying it as one of 300 special editions made for our market.
All will be produced in the sedan body style, and each will be finished in WR Blue Mica paint, wear 17-inch gold-coloured WRX alloy wheels, and feature exclusive RS40 decals.
The WRX RS40 celebrates the 40th anniversary of Subaru in Australia as well as 20 years since the original WRX went on sale in Japan.
Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior says he expects strong demand for the RS40, which he described as a fitting send-off for the Impreza-based WRX.
"This feature-packed special edition makes a direct visual link to the original World Rally Blue WRXs that did so much to grow Subaru's performance credentials globally," Senior said.
The next-generation Subaru WRX was previewed in concept form at the New York auto show in April. The production version is believed to be a chance to debut at November's Tokyo motor show ahead of its 2014 launch.
