Subaru finally made a WRX STI…well, sort of. The Japanese automaker revealed a prototype of an all-new, high-performance WRX called the “S210,” at the Tokyo Auto Salon last week. Based on the current model, the new WRX STI S210 is a faster and more track-focused WRX done up by Subaru Technica International. That means this puppy is likely the closest thing to a modern STI. But, there’s a couple of catches: it only comes with a performance tuned continuously variable transmission and it’s for JDM customers only.
Subaru and sports car fans alike have been mourning the death of the WRX STI since its discontinuation in 2021. It’s been one of the company’s most iconic halo cars because of its reputation in the World Rally Championship as the only vehicle to tie with the Lancia Delta for the most event wins. But slowing sales and Subaru officially withdrawing from the WRC in 2008 led the company to shift its focus on safety and family-friendliness. Since then, diehard Subie lovers have been clamoring for a return.
It Is Basically An STI, Just Not For America
As expected from the name and its aggressive looks, the new S210 is a motorsports-derived version of the WRX and is based on the JDM-spec WRX S4 STI Sport R EX. It’s been adapted for the road for 500 lucky Japanese customers, as a homologation of the company’s race car and to commemorate the Subie’s official participation in the Nürburgring 24-Hours. Just like the old special edition STI S207 and S208 models. That means more power, more downforce, sport-tuned suspension, and the return of the STI’s big-ass rear wing.
How much are we talkin’? STI’s engineers squeezed out a total of 300 horses and 277 lb-ft of torque from the WRX’s 2.4-liter turbocharged and intercooled boxer-four. When compared to the standard North American WRX, that’s roughly 30 more horses and about 19 more torques. But still not as much as the last STI, which made around 305 horses and 290 torques.
It’s all then mated to the company’s latest performance CVT with all-wheel drive also found in the S4 STI Sport R EX. A CVT may not sound like the most performance-oriented decision. And like Nissan, Subaru may be willing to die on its hill for justifying the use of a CVT. But STI at least gave it some love to make it the first-ever S-Series model with a Subaru Performance Transmission with DCT-like rev-matching. STI also fitted a high-performance transmission oil cooler for the CVT for heavier use.
Big six-piston front brakes with cross-drilled rotors all around, track-tuned electronically-controlled dampers and springs, and stiffer rear-stabilizer bushings improve the handling. Special edition STI Flexible Performance Wheels wrapped in performance-focused Michelin tires as standard also help to fill up the slightly wider wheel wells.
But plenty of visual modifications also spice up appearances. Most of the exterior bits, however, exist to improve high-speed aerodynamics. This includes more aggressive front and rear lower fascias and wider side skirts. Though, in typical STI fashion, special S210 badges and other bespoke trim appointments separate this limited production WRX visually.
The cabin’s treatments include more sport-tuned attire, with various bits of the interior appointments festooned with STI logos. Eye-catching contrast stitching for both the leather steering wheel and Recaro Carbon Backrest front seats also crank the interior’s performance theme up a few notches.
On paper, this is pretty much today’s equivalent to a modern STI. And it’s proof that Subaru does still care about its sports car fans. This specific S210 may be limited in availability and for Japan only. But if WRX STI fans shout loud enough, there’s always a chance Subaru can change their mind about making a more regularly available high-power Impreza WRX. There just has to be a demand for the company to justify it as a business case.
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