Red, hot, and ready to go, the Subaru WRX STI stole the show in Baby Driver as it sped away from the crime scene with the crew inside.

Sure, there were actors playing roles in the movie, but the best scenes happened when this iconic car was putting the moves on the getaway route to bring the loot back to the boss. The 2006 WRX STI was no typical version of the car. Let’s see what made this car the drift machine that it was in the movie.

A Few Inconsistencies for the Subaru

Those who understand car performance and spend all their time deep in oil and grease knew right away the car on the big screen wasn’t a real STI. Instead, this car was a traditional Subaru Impreza WRX. The model is from 2006, which is a time when the WRXname came under the Impreza badge. The body of the car was altered to make it look like an STI, but the car underneath never went to the STI level of equipment and performance. Of course, another inconsistency is the fact that this car can drive while having an AWD layout. Hmm, we’re not quite sure what to think of that conundrum.

Variations of the WRX Were Used

We don’t expect any movie to be made with just one version of a car. This is, even more, the case when the car is one of the stars of the film. With that in mind, the Baby Driver Subaru WRX STI was not made in just one form; there were several variations. Each one was built to meet the specifications of Jeremy Fry, the stunt driver behind the scenes, to ensure the car could perform as desired for each scene. No dummy cars for this film. Instead, the collection was complete with drift cars that were tuned exactly right.

Which Subaru Did Fry Like the Best?

While there were several versions of the WRX made for this movie, the car that Jeremy Fry enjoyed driving the most was the RWD version. This car only made a little more than 200 horsepower, but the RWD layout allowed it to handle the drift scenes and perform perfectly when called upon. Sure, there was a beefed-up model that made 320 horsepower, and there were two that had driver controls on the road for in-car shots with the actors, but the RWD version of the Subaru WRX STI was the one that Jeremy Fry liked the best.

Customized for the Added Power

The team at Allpro Subaru in Georgia was responsible for the customization of the most powerful RWD version of the WRX STI used for this film. This model had more than 300 horsepower, including a Cusco limited-slip rear differential, and an OS Giken front differential. An Exedy stage 1 clutch with a CNC hydraulic brake system gave this car the drifting prowess needed to perform some of the best stunts of the film. This was one impressive Subaru showing off in bright red paint.

Setting the Scene

The first ten minutes of Baby Driver suck you in and help you quickly understand the car is going to be one of the main characters of the film. One scene that sets this up is the 180-In-Out that takes place. A normal Subaru WRX STI and under normal conditions would not be capable of performing this stunt, but the filmmakers fixed that. Using one of the RWD models and a wet tarmac, the scene was performed much easier than it would be on a dry road. This scene truly sets the tone for the chase scenes throughout the rest of the movie.

Do You want a Subaru WRX STI?

If reading about the iconic car that is the Subaru driven in the movie, Baby Driver, sparks your desire to go out for a drive, the current model could be right for you. While the WRX STI of 2022 does not have the drifting capabilities of the one from the movie, it does have an incredible amount of fun built into the car. Select your new model in bright red paint and let it be the car you love to drive while imagining you’re on a high-speed car chase.

Excellent Balance Under the Hood

Every model of the WRX is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat four-cylinder engine. This engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. You’ll have 271 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque when you drive. If you want to feel more engaged with the drive, you’ll want to drive this car with the manual so that you can shift the gears yourself.

The Look You Admire in Modern Form

The Subaru WRX STI gives you the style you want to see, even in the version made for 2022. You’ll have a sport exhaust system, an impressive wing on the rear, and the signature hood scoop, which would seem out of place on other sedans but seems to work perfectly for this car. Upgrade your model to the 18-inch wheels with the summer performance tires and start carving up those corners.

Great Fun Every Day

The system used for performance and fun in the modern WRX is incredible. You’ll enjoy the benefits of a sport-tuned suspension, adaptive dampers, and torque-vectoring AWD. These features combine to give you a car that wants to be taken to the track for a day of fun. Of course, you can drive this car every day. If the feeling hits you, this could be the ideal car to turn away from your typical route and find an empty road to experience an exhilarating drive.

The Movie was Good; the Car was Great

Baby Driver is a good movie with a story we’ve heard before. The changes make us want to enjoy it once again, but adding the car as the main character, which makes all the difference. Sit down, watch this movie, enjoy the iconic car, and then take your own Subaru WRX STI out for a spin to test your own driving skills.