When a limited-production variant of a performance car that's been around a few years is announced, it's easy to assume there's little new beyond special graphics or maybe a fresh exterior color. Our latest Future Collectibles subject, the 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA, is one of the exceptions that have been reworked sufficiently to pique enthusiast interest. Today's WRX was new for 2015. WRX models had a 268-bhp 2.0-liter turbo-charged four-cylinder engine. The tastier WRX STI (for Subaru Tecnica International, the automaker's motorsports subsidiary and high-performance arm) packed a 305-horse 2.5-liter version of Subaru's traditional "boxer" four. The STI also ran a specific "inverted-strut" front suspension and Brembo-brand four-wheel discs not shared with the regular WRX. In July 2017, the specially prepared WRX STI Type RA NBR Special clocked a 6-minute, 57.5-second lap of the 12.8-mile Nurburgring Nordschleife, setting a four-door-sedan record at the legendary German circuit. "RA" was short for "Record Attempt," a designation Subaru first used in 1989. Shortly after the record run, Subaru of America announced a limited-edition WRX STI Type RA would go on sale in early 2018.
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