2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition Priced $2,000 Lower than Base STI [Plus Photo Gallery]

The new 2010 Impreza WRX STI Special Edition that premiered at the LA Auto Show this week will be priced $2,000 lower than the base STI model at $33,690 (including destination and handling fees), Subaru announced today. Available from early spring, the first batch of 125 cars will be painted in an exclusive Aspen White. After that, the Special Edition will join the lineup as a regular model and will be offered in Obsidian Black Pearl, WR Blue Mica and Dark Gray Metallic colors.

Subaru says that the Special Edition is aimed at the enthusiast who doesn't mind trading a few amenities to gain an extra measure of handling performance over the standard STI.

While the model retains the STI's 305HP turbocharged boxer engine, it adopts the sportier suspension from the JDM market WRX STI spec C model, which adds a 1-millimeter thicker rear stabilizer bar, stiffer rear sub-frame bushings plus upgraded springs. The front springs are 16-percent stiffer, while the rear springs have been stiffened by 29-percent.

The package also includes the spec C's charcoal-colored 18-inch, 14-spoke alloy wheels.

The trade-off is that the WRX STI Special Edition gets halogen instead of HID headlights, a single-disc CD player / 4-speaker audio system instead of the 6-CD / 10-speaker system, manual air conditioning in place of automatic climate control, and side mirrors without integrated signals.