As with the previous model Imprezas there are versions of the New Age WRX in Japan which have much greater performance and higher specification than the ones generally available in the UK.

WRX

The New Age WRX surprisingly only has 250PS (247bhp) where as the out going MY2000 WRX model had 280PS (274bhp). This compares with 215PS (211bhp) for the UK/European model. The Japanese engines feature variable valve technology called Active Valve Control System (AVCS). Quite why this has not been used on UK/European engines is unknown. The gear ratios are also slightly shorter on the 5 speed manual transmission with a 4 speed automatic box also being available. The Japanese car also features a rear wash/wipe on the rear wind screen of the 4 door.

One thing to note, the standard Japanese WRX comes as standard with 16in alloys and 205/50R16 tires not the 17in and 215/45ZR17 seen here in the UK. Also the rear discs are not ventilated and even worse, one specification list I have seen has the fronts down as only OEM 2 pot ventilated (where the UK gets OEM 4 pot ventilated). This is effectively the wheel and brake set up as seen on the USA WRX.

WRX NB-R

The WRX NB-R was introduced at MY2002 which features a different rear wing or probably just the old one on stilts. Unfortunately my first thoughts of a bugeye Type R was dashed when I saw the non Brembo Subaru brakes. This seems to be a revised cooking version of the WRX with 250PS. The brakes have been upgraded to those seen on the European WRX (from the 2 pots) as are the alloys up from 16in to 17in. HID headlights seem to be standard (although the fog lights are aparently replaced by blanking covers), and the suspension is also uprated. See the Subaru Japan site and the WRX NB-R page.