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If you’re going to launch this baby, get 2nd gear in mind, for it’ll redline 1st gear in the blink of an eye.

Twist the center console’s torque-management dial to “sport sharp,” depress the clutch, go deep with the accelerator, release the clutch – the stunning performance transforms the driver, regardless his years of experience, to a brief state of 21 or 22 or 23 in age.

Only 1,000 of these blue pearl sedans with gold wheels will be built.

They’re the 2015 Subaru WRX STI Launch Editions, with 305-horsepower, 290 lb.-ft. torque 2.5-liter turbocharged Subaru Boxer 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission and high-performance clutch.

I drove one of these three or four years ago; mechanically the ’15 version remains basically the same.

What’s new are a wider-body design with flared front fenders, quickened steering, stiffer chassis, firmer sport-tuned front suspension, differential torque vectoring and improvements in the cabin.

An 11-inch-high rear wing, providing stabilizing downforce at high speeds, separates the STI from the regular WRX sport sedan. The STI’s 305-hp, 2.5 boxer engine also is a step above the WRX’s 268-hp, 2.0-liter boxer. Another difference? The STI carries an $8,000 price premium over the WRX.
Handling is outstanding with the firmed-up chassis, and the short, stiff shifter lends a sportier feel to the operation. The ride is rough and somewhat noisy. The STI rides on Dunlop winter sport 245/40R18 tires.

A functional hood scoop aids the turboed and intercooled boxer engine.

In addition to the Intelligent, Sport and Sport Sharp throttle settings, the driver also has manually adjustable modes for all-wheel-drive center-differential traction settings (normal is 41/59 front-to-rear).

A sport-designed instrument panel and flat-bottomed, leather-wrapped steering wheel set the mood inside. Standard items for the STI Launch Edition are a small-screened rearview camera and an AM/FM/CD/HD audio setup with Bluetooth, iPod, USB port and SiriusXM satellite.

While standard Impreza compact sedans offer fuel mileage averages into the mid-30s today, the WRX STI, with its performance attributes, carries an EPA estimate of only 17/23. My overall average with the review model was 20.1 mpg. Premium-grade fuel is required for the turbocharged engine.
The sticker price on the WRX STI is $38,190; this compares with $29,500 on a regular WRX I drove several weeks ago.

Sharp increases in sales of Forester and XV Crosstrek crossover models the past two months are responsible for boosting Subaru’s two-month totals to 67,909 from 55,826 at the same time in 2013, a gain of 21 percent. Colorado is one of Subaru’s strongest sales districts, along with the New England states and the Northwest U.S.

The Subaru WRX (World Rally Cross) was introduced in Japan in 1992 and came to the U.S. three years later. While the STI (Subaru Tecnica International) version of the WRX showed up in Japan in 1994, it didn’t reach the U.S. until 10 years later.

Notes from e-mail

I always enjoy reading your Saturday Drive feature, Bud. I have read recently that Chevy will withdraw from Europe, perhaps choosing to promote GM’s European standard brands Opel and Vauxhall instead. I’m aware that Chevy gave western Europe a Cruze wagon and five-door hatchback that never made it to our shores. Is there some chance Chevy will add these two models to its American offerings? A turbodiesel wagon would be a good competitor to small VW and Audi models. Why let the Germans have all the fun? – C.J.

You’re right, Chris, Chevrolet is pulling back in Europe. Officials, though, aren’t yet announcing plans to bring the Cruze wagon diesel over here. I agree with you, it would be very competitive with the VW diesels.

I read your Saturday column, Bud, which mentioned the Ford Fusion Hybrid all-wheel drive as a competitor to the vehicle you reviewed. Needless to say, I started frothing and foaming, and went to the Ford website to see about it. As far as I can tell, Ford doesn’t offer an AWD version of the Fusion Hybrid. Waaah! – W.N.

Sorry, Wendy, it was erroneously listed as a competitor of the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid in the specifications table last Saturday. Ford does not offer AWD with the hybrid version of the Fusion. Speaking of Fusion, its Energi plug-in hybrid is sitting in my garage as this column is concluded.

I’m looking forward to the Denver Auto Show this year, Bud. Is it coming up later this month? – B.G.

It will be here soon, Bill, the second week of April. The dates at the Colorado Convention Center are April 9-13.