Now, before we get all excited, let’s get one thing out of the way: the turbocharged 1.8-liter CB18 under the hood makes just 177 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque. Meant as a forced induction replacement to the normally-aspirated FB25, it does offer a flatter power and torque curve. Peak power comes in at 5,200 rpm and stays there up until 5,600 rpm, while peak torque comes in at 1,600 rpm and continues up until 3,600 rpm.

As the Forester STI Sport though, the guys at Subaru Technica International did equip it with a dedicated front damper made by Hitachi Astemo. Fitted with Selective Frequency Response Damper (SFRD) technology, it “meets the demand for sportier and higher quality driving.” The rear is matched by STI-tuned rear dampers.

Along with the new front dampers, the Forester STI Sport is differentiated by its numerous high-gloss black exterior accents which can be found on the grille, bumpers, side sills, rear wing, and tailgate garnish. The changes are capped off by high-luster black 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, it gets a two-tone black and Bordeaux nappa leather seats with the STI logo embossed on the headrests as well as a revised instrument cluster with the STI logo.

Sadly, there’s little chance we’ll see the Forester STI Sport outside of Japan given it sports a JDM-exclusive powertrain. That said, we may see it as an inspiration for a possible GT Edition of the refreshed Forester.