Essentially a WRX estate, the Levorg STI has been around in Japan for several years and Subaru transitioned the fast estate to the second generation near the end of 2021. Also sold as the WRX Sportwagon in Australia and as the WRX GT tS Wagon in New Zealand, the forbidden fruit has now been made even tastier with a special edition in JDM flavour. Meet the STI Sport, a limited-run variant unveiled today at the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon.

It starts off as the range-topping Levorg STI Sport R EX and gets an assortment of upgrades, including 19-inch BBS forged wheels wrapped in 225/40 ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres. Other niceties include a transmission oil cooler, a strut tower brace, and a flexible draw stiffener. Aside from mechanical changes, the performance estate gets a variety of black exterior details and Recaro front bucket seats trimmed in suede and synthetic leather.

2023 Subaru Levorg STI Sport

Sharing the spotlight at TAS with the 2024 Impreza featuring STI parts, the Levorg STI Sport is motivated by a turbocharged 2.4-litre petrol engine. It makes 271 bhp and 258 lb-ft of torque delivered to the all-wheel-drive system via a continuously variable transmission. It provides the same output as the US-spec WRX but it's a CVT-only affair as the six-speed manual is not available.

Subaru intends to make only 500 units and is charging 5,764,000 yen apiece. That works out to roughly £37,000 at current exchange rates. Dealers across the country will be taking orders from January 26 until May 12. Stick to the standard 2.4-litre Levorg STI R and you'll be spending the equivalent of £28,300, which frankly sounds like a great deal for an all-in-one family car.