Subaru STI S209 Assessment: The quickest STI involves America
“The S209 justifies its price ticket for Subaru super-fans.”
- Unimaginable grip
- Sharp, responsive chassis
- Nicely-mannered round city
- Aggressive fashion
- Expensive
- Extra energy is nearly imperceptible
Subaru has a well-documented historical past of enjoying alphabet soup with hot-rodded vehicles. From the Impreza 22B to the BRZ tS, these special-edition machines have ranged from reliable road-legal legends to glorified trim packages, and that’s led to ambiguity through the years. However for these within the know, STI, which stands for Subaru Tecnica Worldwide, the corporate’s performance-focused subbrand, is an acronym that’s synonymous with greatness.
We’ve had our fair proportion of seat time within the fifth-generation Impreza-based WRX STI, a automotive that, whereas a bit unrefined relative to some members of its aggressive set, affords loads of allure. However there’s one other providing from STI, one U.S. drivers won’t know of. For the previous 20 years or so, Subaru Tecnica Worldwide has cranked out a collection of restricted manufacturing S-line fashions that take STI efficiency to a different degree. All had been unique to Japan.
However with the S209, STI’s newest S-line creation, Subaru determined to vary up this system. Simply 209 examples of the automaker’s newest hopped-up WRX STI will likely be produced, they usually’re all headed to the USA.
Every one comes with a laundry listing of upgrades over the garden-variety STI, together with a hefty MSRP of $63,995. That form of coin takes the STI out of its authentic aggressive set occupied by vehicles just like the Ford Focus RS and Honda Civic Sort R, and locations it alongside the likes of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and BMW M2 Competitors.
Does the S209 have the {hardware} to again up its price ticket?
Inside and outside
Though Subaru efficiency is commonly related to stage rally competitors, S-line vehicles are extra targeted on street course prowess. And to that finish, this automotive’s monitor intentions are apparent at first look, from the flared fenders, to the canards and distinctive rear wing. It’s clear the S209 has fast monitor occasions in thoughts. Nonetheless, its extroverted aero is just the tip of the iceberg.
Beneath the hood is probably the most highly effective iteration of Subaru’s EJ25 2.5-liter boxer engine we’ve but seen in a manufacturing automotive. It sports activities a brand new consumption and air filter design for improved engine respiration, greater gas injectors, and a bigger turbocharger that’s able to delivering a most enhance strain of 18.9 psi.
There’s a trick intercooler water spray system available as effectively. It really works like an overboost perform. Steering wheel-mounted paddles allow you to name upon the system at will to inject mists of water on the intercooler. That briefly lowers temperatures for brief bursts of additional energy.
Exhaling by a novel low-restriction exhaust system, the mixture is nice for 341 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, as much as 31hp and 40 lb.-ft. from the usual STI. Paired with a close-ratio six-speed handbook gearbox, the all-wheel-drive Sube is alleged to be able to sub-5-second sprints to 60 mph from relaxation, on its solution to a high pace of 162 miles per hour.
Sharper seems and extra grunt are at all times welcome, nevertheless it’s the suspension and chassis tweaks that actually set the S209 other than its STI-badged brethren. Specifically tuned Bilstein dampers are matched up with 10mm reducing springs, a 20mm rear stabilizer bar, and pillow-type bushings for the entrance/rear lateral hyperlinks to enhance physique management. A two-piece strut tower bar and versatile entrance/rear draw stiffeners stiffen the physique of the automotive to maximise tire grip, enhance cornering stability, and sharpen steering response.
Talking of tire grip, there’s fairly a little bit of it. That’s due not solely to the dealing with upgrades, but in addition the 265mm-wide Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600A summer time tires the S209 rolls on, which wrap distinctive 19×9-inch BBS wheels. Stopping energy is offered by the identical Brembo {hardware} you’d discover on an ordinary STI, however a brand new high-friction pad materials replaces the usual pads to enhance fade resistance.
Inside, it’s principally enterprise as typical, although the Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, S209 badging, silver distinction stitching, and a serialized plaque in entrance of the shifter assist differentiate this S-line automotive from different fashions. Subaru’s 7.0-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment is customary and the one system on provide within the S209, which suggests navigation and the Harman Kardon sound system aren’t out there. Luckily, the touchscreen system helps Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so Google Maps, Waze, and different supported apps are available to select up the slack.
Behind The Wheel
The usual STI has earned a repute as a reasonably stiff journey, and contemplating the monitor focus of the STI S209, we anticipated this machine to exhibit even much less compliance round city.
Think about our shock when the S209 proved not solely well-mannered in LA’s city sprawl, however arguably extra snug than a typical STI. The sunshine, communicative clutch and Recaro sport seats made the automotive’s sporting intentions clear, however did so with minimal influence on every day drivability. We wouldn’t thoughts a bit extra thigh bolstering to maintain entrance occupants firmly planted within the seats when the going will get enjoyable, although.
Talking of which, it ought to come as no shock that the San Gabriel Mountains’ technical switchbacks highlighted the S209’s biggest strengths. The extra energy beneath the hood – even after we yanked the intercooler paddles in hopes of some form of video game-like surge of energy – isn’t transformative, however the suspension and chassis tweaks are.
The Dunlops provide gorgeous grip, they usually’re mated to a chassis that’s each keen to vary path and fast to forgive less-than-perfect inputs, making the S209 the form of automotive that encourages confidence as you develop into extra aware of its limits.
Like all WRX-based fashions, the Subaru’s total refinement pales compared to vehicles just like the Volkswagen Golf R, however watching the VW rapidly fade away within the rearview mirror on street will likely be a supply of consolation for S209 homeowners.
Our take
Contemplating its price ticket, the truth that solely 209 automobiles will likely be constructed, and the shortage of accessible choices, the S209 is in the end a mannequin that’s aimed toward collectors somewhat than fanatics. That’s a little bit of a disgrace, as a result of the upgrades discovered all through the automotive serve to tangibly elevate its functionality with nearly no compromise to its drivability.
That is probably the most succesful WRX STI to ever roll out of a Subaru manufacturing facility, however its price ticket places it in league with vehicles that may possible outclass it on quite a lot of fronts. Nonetheless, if Subaru had been to use these suspension and chassis modifications to a garden-variety STI at a extra accessible worth level, they’d have a possible game-changer within the section.
How DT Would Configure This Automobile
The one possibility out there on the STI S209 is the colour – 128 items will likely be produced in World Rally Blue with matte silver wheels, whereas the remaining 81 vehicles will put on the Crystal White Pearl paint with gold wheels. Ideally, we’d go for World Rally Blue with our take a look at automotive’s gold wheels, however we’d be prepared to accept the blue/matte silver mixture.
Ought to You Get One?
Most individuals, even fanatics, will wish to take a look at extra succesful vehicles on this worth vary. Nonetheless, in case you have the means and also you’re a Subaru fan, this automotive is an actual deal with.
Dwelling Restart
Editors’ Suggestions
Let’s block advertisements! (Why?)
