Every once in a while Subaru reminds us that it hasn't forgotten how to build absolutely insane street cars - such as this one, the limited-edition Impreza STI S206.
Even if only 300 will be built, and then only for the Japanese domestic market.
The crankshaft, con rods and pistons of the two-litre, flat-four engine have been carefully rebalanced for quicker response, the turbocharger has been 'enhanced' and the exhaust system's back pressure reduced by, one assumes, leaving out some of the baffling material.
The ECU has been re-programmed to take advantage of the engine's freer spinning and breathing, raising listed output to 236kW and 431Nm, with much crisper throttle response.
The S206 has on special Bilstein dampers and STI coil springs, with a flexible front tower bar and draw stiffener to further tighten the steering, and runs on exclusive 19” BBS alloy rims shod with 245/35 Michelin Pilot Super Sport gumballs.
It's dressed in a new grille with lower front spoiler, special side skirts and an exclusive rear spoiler in the STI tradition, to give it some extra street cred, while the cabin gets a special leather-trimmed steering wheel, Recaro bucket seats with red seatbelts and a special engine start-stop button.
And if that's not special enough, 100 of the cars will also have an NBR Challenge Package to commemorate Subaru's class win in the 2011 the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race, comprising a carbon-fibre roof and rear spoiler, red door-sills and special badges - but all 100 of those are already sold.