The Subaru WRX STI S209 is the first S-badged car from the STI brand to be available in the United States. With a limited production number of just 209 units and track-oriented performance components, we expected pricing for the S209 to be higher than an STI’s. But Subaru recently announced pricing for the limited-edition model and it’s a lot higher than we expected. The performance sedan starts at $64,880 including destination. That’s $22,285 more than a WRX STI Limited. Clearly, the S209 isn’t cheap.
While the S209 costs quite a lot of money, the sedan does bring a lot of extra performance components with it. For one, the 2.5-liter flat-four gets a new HKS turbocharger, forged pistons, forged connecting rods, a new intake system, new injectors, and a new fuel pump. The S209 also gets a water spray system that helps keep the intercooler’s temperatures down. The changes help boost power to 341 horsepower -- an increase of 31 hp from the STI. Power is still routed through Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, but the sedan’s center differential and drive modes have been upgraded. A close-ratio six-speed manual transmission is also included.
Subaru upgraded other things than the engine, too. The S209 wears bespoke Dunlop GT600As tires and unique BBS 19-inch wheels. Dimension-wise, the sporty version of the sedan is 1.7 inches wider and has a track width that's 0.6 inches wider than the regular STI. When paired with new suspension components, which include Blistein shocks, stiffer springs, a larger stabilizer bar, and other parts, the high-performance sedan can pull 1.0 g of lateral grip. Larger six-piston Brembo brakes that are cross-drilled in the front and two-piston units in the back are also improvements.
A lot of these components are hidden away and hard for the average consumer to spot, but the sedan’s exterior alterations are much more noticeable. Subaru took a lot of inspiration from the Nürburgring Challenge race car, borrowing a similar wide-body kit, widened fenders, additional vents, a massive carbon fiber wing, a carbon fiber roof, and front dive planes that help increase the vehicle’s aerodynamic grip.
Changes have also been made to the sedan’s interior, where the S209 receives a D-shaped steering wheel that’s wrapped in ultrasuede, a special serial number badge, and Recaro front bucket seats. Subaru’s only offering the sedan in two color combinations: WR Blue Pearl with gray wheels and Crystal White Pearl with gold wheels.
There’s no denying that the S209 is more special than the STI and after briefly sampling one, it’s much more performance-oriented than the STI. For consumers with the funds that want a unique track toy with a Subaru badge, the S209 is clearly at the top of the heap. The regular STI, though, is still a great performance vehicle that offers blistering capabilities on-road, on the track, and in inclement weather. For the majority of people, it’s more than enough. And if it isn’t, $20,000 goes a long way in aftermarket parts.
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