Returning in its fourth generation, the Subaru WRX STI has lost a substantial $10,000 from its starting price, and that in itself would be good reason to consider it.

But it improves in other ways too, so much so that it is easily one of the performance bargains of the year so far.

The 2014 offering has the same 2.5-litre boxer-four engine of the previous model, producing the same 221kW and 407Nm of torque, but the rest of the car has seen some substantial changes.

On paper things are looking good with a stiffened chassis, a fresh new look and $7000 of new standard equipment, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating – and eat we did.

We put the third member of the Subaru sports fleet through its paces on one of New South Wales’ most demanding circuits. Read on here...



Click here for the full review...