SUBARU Australia will bring an STI-badged halo model to the Levorg range in July – but more power and a manual transmission sadly won’t be part of the deal.

Rather, the Levorg 2.0 STI Sport will follow the template set by the Forester tS, with a range of cosmetic enhancements from the STI catalogue adding visual tinsel to the existing 2.0-litre turbo mechanical package. That means no changes from the current car’s 197kW/350Nm outputs, nor the availability of a six-speed manual in lieu of the standard car’s CVT auto.

In the Japanese market, the Levorg 2.0 STI Sport benefits from some light chassis fettling by way of additional frame reinforcements and unique damper settings, but it’s unclear whether those changes will make their way into Australian cars. Don’t expect that JDM car’s 220kW/400Nm engine for this one, either, as it hasn’t been homologated for Australian conditions.

Notching up a respectable 420 sales year to date, it’s apparent that Subaru’s local operation reckons the time is right to make a mainstream play with its mid-size wagon, bringing more budget-friendly, lower output models to Australian showrooms.

But an STI flagship isn’t the only treat Subaru Australia has in store for the Levorg. Joining it in July as part of the wagon’s model year update will be a pair of 1.6-litre turbocharged variants – the 1.6GT and 1.6GT-S.

With 125kW of power and 250Nm of torque, the turbo 1.6 exists at a healthy midpoint between the 115kW/196Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine of the Impreza family and the Levorg 2.0GT’s 197kW powerplant.

The existing Levorg 2.0GT and 2.0GT-S will carry over with minimal mechanical changes to their WRX-sourced 197kW 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder.

Subaru will release full specifications and pricing for the 2018 Levorg range closer to its July launch.