The long awaited Subaru Impreza WRX STi Version VI 4-door went on sale around Australia this week.

Unveiled at the Sydney International Motor Show last week, only 400 of the exclusive rally-bred All-Wheel Drive 4-door Imprezas have been imported.

"The 4-door STi Version VI has generated just as much excitement as the 2-door version did when first announced a year ago," said Subaru Australia’s managing director Trevor Amery.

"Dealers have been inundated with customer inquiries, many leaving deposits. We were able to secure the limited run of 400 4-door versions for Australia based on the great demand and success of the 2-door version."

The Australian specification Impreza WRX STi Version VI is based on the latest version, just launched in Japan, which includes several new features like revised front and rear spoilers.

The rally-bred Impreza WRX STi 4-door version features all the exclusive insignia of the STi. The vehicles have a STi strut brace, STi ECU, STi fog light covers, STi exhaust, STi sports bucket seats 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. This allows for 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 car.

This All-Wheel Drive sports sedan features a turbocharged "Boxer" engine, five-speed manual transmission, inverted strut suspension and four-wheel disc brakes.

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

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

Also standard are a security system, remote central locking, leather Momo steering wheel and gearshift, air-conditioning and an AM/FM radio/CD player.

External highlights include colour-coded door handles and mirrors, aluminium bonnet, six-spoke gold alloy wheels, new front under spoiler and a high deck rear spoiler with aerodynamic lip.

Each vehicle is individually numbered from 001 to 400, making the 4-door STi Version VI a real collector’s item from the outset.