Subaru’s Series.White WRX and WRX STI will stick like summer humidity

Subaru has taken the wraps off two limited-edition versions of its WRX sports sedan, the Series.White WRX and WRX STI, at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show. How limited? Only 500 examples of each model will be available, starting in early 2020. Both the Series.White WRX and WRX STI will be immediately recognizable, thanks to unique Ceramic White exteriors exclusive to the new editions and matte bronze alloy wheels.

Subaru claims the 268-horsepower WRX Series.White as the highest-performance non-STI WRX yet to be sold on American shores. It’s based on the WRX Premium and comes with a six-speed manual gearbox. Should you be one of the lucky buyers, you can row all six gears from the comfort of Ultrasuede-upholstered Recaro seats. Stopping power comes courtesy of high-performance Brembo brakes—red calipers on all four corners, with four pistons up front and two in back. The Bilstein-branded, sport-tuned suspension features that same company’s shock absorbers, plus inverted front struts and rear double wishbones. Other standard features include steering-responsive LED headlights and 18-inch aluminum wheels along with special side and rear badges. The WRX Series.White will be priced at $34,895 (delivery included).

Slotting above the WRX Series.White, but below the even-more-limited-production, 341-hp WRX STI S209, sits the Series.White WRX STI. These 500 cars get the same Ceramic White exterior finish as their blindingly white, non-STI brethren but are powered by a 2.5-liter, 310-hp version of the WRX’s turbocharged boxer four. The drivetrain also features Subaru’s Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with Active Torque Vectoring, all communicating with with a Bilstein STI sport-tuned suspension and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The steering rack mounts have been beefed up for better feel and steering response and the brakes are upgraded to monoblock Brembos with six-piston calipers up front. The brake calipers are silver with a black STI logo for cool factor, and to save weight, the spare tire has been replaced with a tire repair kit.

Interior upgrades on the WRX STI Series.White include black Ultrasuede seating panels with Carbon Black leather bolsters and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrasting red stitching. Exterior features include BBS 19-inch matte bronze forged aluminum wheels and a new mesh grille with a STI badge and cherry blossom red accent. The WRX STI Series.White also gets special badging, Crystal Black Silica folding side mirrors, and Recaro seats. Pricing begins at $43,595, including destination charges.