The Subaru Levorg STI Sport R is the fast JDM wagon we crave

Subaru still sells cars in the UK. But given none of them descend directly from rally cars – or are at all quick, to be honest – you’d be forgiven for not especially noticing.

We have recently been able to buy the Levorg estate – quirkily cool it is, too – but in tame, 147bhp form. The Japanese market continue to enjoy such things with nearly twice the power, and now gets to buy something called the Levorg STI Sport R for less than thirty grand.

Its name may give the impression Subaru’s reversed it straight into the spinning adhesive badges rack beside the Halfords till, but we’re jealous of our far eastern chums nonetheless. The Sport R’s flat-four turbo produces a healthy 271bhp and 258lb ft of torque, hooked up to all-wheel drive (but of course) via a CVT automatic. Maybe a little of the jealousy’s been chipped away…

Doesn’t it look cool, though? Very reminiscent of Impreza wagons of the Nineties, with a burly powertrain to match. There’s a big ol’ media screen and digital dials in this one, though, as well as – hurrah! – an electrically opening tailgate.

Which may mean it’s no focused, featherweight special descended from the muddy stages, but that doesn’t stop us craving one. Are you with us?