"The anticipation of the vehicle’s arrival has generated a lot of excitement. Dealers have been inundated witin customer inquiries, many leaving their names on waiting lists," said Subaru Australia's managing director, Trevor Amery.

"Subaru has secured a one-off build of only 400 units of this exclusive 2-door model."

The Australian specification Impreza WRX STi Version is based on the latest STi Version 5 Impreza models recently launched in Japan.

The rally-bred Impreza features all the exclusive insignia of the STi family giving it a real pedigree. The vehicles have an STi strut brace, STi fog light covers, STi exhaust, STi sports bucket seats which include suede inserts, and of course STi exclusive badging.

Also exclusive to the STi family is a short throw gear box which has closer gear ratios than the standard Impreza WRX, allowing quicker gear changes, faster acceleration and enhanced performance.

The engine boasts an exhilarating 206kW of power at 6,500 rpm and produces 353Nm of torque at 4,000rpm on 100 RON fuel. Acceleration figures are also impressive, estimated by the factory to be 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds for the Japanese spec model.

The suspension system was developed specifically to cater for the Australian market. It features four wheel independent coil spring suspension with Macpherson struts in the front and multi link type in the rear.

Other features include forged pistons, larger teflon-coated turbo, inner shim valve adjustment, sodium filled exhaust valves, hollow inlet valves and an inlet manifold.

As with all current model Subaru vehicles, the Impreza WRX STi Version comes standard with Subaru’s "AAA" safety pack :All-Wheel Drive, ABS and dual airbags.

This vehicle also comes standard with an alarm/immobiliser, air-conditioning, remote central locking, leather MOMO steering wheel and gearshift, and an AM/FM radio cassette.

External highlights include colour coded door handles and mirrors, aluminium bonnet, 16" gold alloy wheels, bonnet scoop with air intake grilles, and a high deck rear spoiler.