Subaru WRX gets STI treatment: More power but two massive caveats

The latest generation of Subaru WRX was the first to go without an STI performance flagship, but now it’s returned… but don’t get too excited.

Subaru will produce just 500 examples of the S210 special edition, which it’s calling “the pinnacle of the STI complete cars”, based on the Japanese-market WRX S4 STI Sport R EX.

However, it’s not expected to be sold outside Japan.

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“The latest model unveiled by Subaru Tecnica International (STI) is incredibly exciting and is a clear indication of Subaru’s dedication to the continued evolution of the STI brand and its rich legacy of performance vehicle engineering,” said a spokesperson for Subaru Australia.

“We are very interested in the possibilities of another S edition model for the Australian market.”

In more bad news, the S210 is offered only with the Subaru Performance Transmission, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), unlike STIs of yore that came exclusively with a six-speed manual.

STI mightn’t have called this vehicle an STI, but that’s splitting hairs as it wears STI badges and the tuning arm does call it an ‘S-series vehicle’. This is the first of this series to be fitted with a CVT, though it has been retuned.

Power and torque in the turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine have been bumped from 202kW and 350Nm in the regular WRX to 221kW and 375Nm. That sees it match the old STI on power, though torque falls 32Nm short.

To eke out this extra power and torque, STI retuned the ECU and installed a new air filter, intake ducts, and pre-turbo ducts for the induction system.

There’s also a new exhaust system with a low back-pressure muffler, while the STI team has also fitted a performance transmission fluid cooler.

It rides on black 19-inch BBS forged alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 255/35R19 tyres.

Behind the wheels sit 18-inch drilled and ventilated Brembo brake rotors with six-pot calipers, while down back there are 17-inch ventilated brake discs.

STI has fitted a unique rear stabiliser bush, while there’s also unique adaptive damper and coil spring tuning.

Visually, it’s distinguished by new aerodynamic parts including an STI Dry Carbon rear spoiler and unique side garnishes.

Items like the door mirrors, grille, diffuser and side garnishes are finished in Crystal Black Silica.

Inside, there are new eight-way power-adjustable Recaro front seats, finished in Nappa leather and featuring carbon backrests.

The interior is finished in black, though red highlights can be found on items like the leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift boot, and armrests.

As expected of a special edition like this, there’s also a serial number plate inside.

As to why Subaru’s latest S-series model features a CVT, the answer is simple: the WRX is offered in Japan exclusively with the Subaru Performance Transmission, unlike in markets like Australia where it can be specified with a six-speed manual.

The S210 follows previous hotted-up STI editions, which started in 2000 with the WRX STI S201 of which 300 units were produced with bespoke STI body kits and power outputs of 221kW and 353Nm.

Subsequent models came with each new Impreza/WRX generation.

MORE: Everything Subaru WRX