Just in time for Halloween, Subaru just unveiled their latest special edition of the WRX and WRX STI at the 2012 SEMA Show – the “Orange and Black” Editions. Oh c’mon Subie, you couldn’t come up with anything better than “Orange and Black”? I mean I’m no marketing guy, but even “Halloween Edition” or “Spooky Edition” would have been more creative. Eh, whatever.
Regardless, the Subaru WRX STI happens to be one of my favorite cars of all time, so any time I see a special edition on this car, I get excited. Having a special edition for Halloween – my favorite holiday – makes all that much cooler.
Now, as most of the factory-offered special editions you’re going to see at SEMA this year, this is more of an appearance package. There isn’t anything changed mechanically about the car. Not that it really needs it; the WRX has 265hp and the STI, 305hp, although seeing that turbo boosted a bit wouldn’t hurt.
Now I’ll be the first to admit – Pumpkin Orange, or as they call it Tangerine Orange, isn’t the best looking color on the WRX/STI. But out of all the colors in which you can get a WRX, World Rally Blue is, in my opinion, the only non-boring color available, so any other options are more than welcome.
The “Orange and Black” Edition WRX and STI, as you can see comes with a very Halloween-y color scheme; the Tangerine Orange paint contrasts with the special Jet Black wheels, black front fender badging, black body graphics, and black side mirrors.
Inside, both the WRX and WRX STI get a dark interior with orange stitching on the seats, doors, and shift boot, along with orange-lined floor mats. Check out the picture above – they’ve done it up pretty well, I think the orange contrast looks really good.
This special edition run is quite limited – they’re only making 200 WRXs and 100 WRX STIs, so if you do like the look of it, I’d suggest heading down to your dealer and putting your name down.
I think the WRX STI is one of the best bang-for-your-buck performance cars on the market right now. Subaru has perfected their AWD system, and the application of their turbocharged 305 hp Boxer engine, tight six-speed manual, and standard features like Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD,) Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE,) and Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) – if you can figure out how to use them all – really make the car special.
Check out the gallery below for a crapload of more pictures of this special edition. What do you think, do you like the orange and black color scheme, or would you stick with one of the factory colors?