TOKYO — Calling all Impreza fans! Subaru Tecnica International (STI) in Japan will build just 600 examples of this latest Impreza S204, starting in January 2006.

Since April 2000, Subaru's tuning arm, STI, has been quietly putting together its own limited run of hand-built cars, starting with the S201, which pushed out 300 horsepower.

After the S202 (2002) and S203 (2004), based on the second-generation Impreza, both with 320 hp, it's time to welcome the S204, which gets the latest shape Impreza front end and is the new Japanese domestic state of the art.

Using the latest six-speed WRX STi as a base, the STI team has hand-built, blueprinted, balanced, and tuned the already formidable 1,994cc flat-four Twin Scroll turbo, to deliver the same 320 hp at 6,400 rpm, plus a resounding 318 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm, the highest factory torque output to date.

The lowered, stiffened S204 chassis gets original spec coil springs, dampers, bushing and roll bars. With BBS alloys, 18-inch Pirelli PZero Corsa system tires, and original 17-inch vented brakes, STI claims the whole dynamic threshold improves on last year's S203.

Body tweaks include a unique grille, a carbon front skirt, and a trunk spoiler. Inside, there's a set of very smart, thin, reclining Recaro bucket seats and moody black/gray cabin coding.

The price of entry is $41,000, about $8,500 more than the standard WRX STi in Japan. Expensive, yes, but also very exclusive and a likely future collector's item.