Last year, we got the chance to drive the Subaru WRX tS, and with an upgraded suspension and brakes, it proved to be pretty darn fun to drive, as well as track-capable. At the time, we said it was as close to a new STI as we were going to get, but as it turns out, we were wrong because Subaru just announced the WRX STI S210. Don’t get too excited, though. It’s not exactly the new STI that you were hoping for, either.
Like the S209 that came before it, the S210 is a complete Subaru Tecnica International vehicle. This time around, though, it’s based on a WRX S4 STI Sport R EX that Subaru doesn’t offer here. And just like the S209, production is also seriously limited, although it won’t be quite as rare. Subaru says it plans to build 500 examples, up from 209 S209s. Still, with only 500 cars to go around worldwide, it probably won’t be easy to get your hands on a new STI.
Then again, if you remember the S209’s 341 horsepower and were imagining something even more powerful, say, in the 365-hp range, I have some bad news. The WRX STI’s 2.4-liter engine makes 296 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque. That’s an improvement of 25 hp and 19 pound-feet over the regular WRX, but it still isn’t a lot. Not when you can probably get a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N for similar or even less money. Remember, the S209 had an MSRP just a hair under $64,000 before dealer markups.
The other disappointment is the transmission. While the WRX tS and S209 had manual transmissions, the new STI does not. Instead, it has a continuously variable transmission that the Japanese automaker calls a “Subaru Performance Transmission.” It’s probably fine, but how can you make an STI or even something STI-adjacent and not offer a manual transmission even as an option? I get that they’re only building 500 of them, but do the people who buy these things really not want manuals?
That said, Subaru says it upgraded the exhaust, which is nice considering you can barely hear the WRX’s stock exhaust. It also tuned the ECU to bring on peak torque at 2000 rpm, upgraded the brakes and suspension, added 19-inch BBS forged wheels and improved the cooling. You also get a sweet aero kit, carbon-fiber Recaro seats and a numbered plaque for your special Subaru. So at least there should actually be some noticeable improvements on the track even if this isn’t the full-production STI you were hoping for.
As far as pricing goes, Subaru still hasn’t said anything. Considering how much the S209 cost and the fact that this is supposedly a new STI, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see this priced in the $70,000 range. Then again, will the MSRP really matter once dealers get their hands on them? Heck, Subaru hasn’t even said whether it will send any to the U.S. Hopefully, it does, but if not, you can always wait another 25 years and import one.
