Subaru’s in-house tuning department STI has got its hands on the new-for-2010 Legacy sedan to create the B4 2.5GT tS. The tS apparently means ‘Tuned by STI’ and the special model features a host of cosmetic and dynamic enhancements, even though the turbocharged 2.5-litre boxer remains unchanged.

Visually, the tS receives a new front bumper, as well as a subtle decklid spoiler out back (fixed to the roof on wagon models). New 18-inch alloys wrapped in 225/45-series rubber fill the gurads and special badging is applied all around. Inside, there’s a new instrument cluster, sport seats, carbon-fibre trim, a leather-wrapped STI steering wheel and, of course, STI branding on the shifter and floor mats.

Where the tS model is really special is in its performance upgrades, which include a sport exhaust system, a more robust Bilstein suspension set-up, and new strut tower bars. Sadly, because the turbocharged flat-four retains its stock output of 265 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque this go-hard Legacy won’t be any quicker on the street. The suspension mods should make it even more poised during sporty driving, though.

In Japan, the sedan model starts from 4,029,900 Yen (around $63,500 NZ) and the Touring Wagon from 4,187,400 Yen (around $65,900).

Check out a gallery of images of the special Legacy below.