Detroit 2019: The More Hardcore WRX STI S209 To Be Offered Outside Of Japan

It seems that Subaru and their performance department Subaru Tecnica International (STI) will be pushing one last hurrah on the WRX STI through the development of the S209.

The bigger news from this teaser released by Subaru is the launching of the S209 scheduled at the Detroit Motor Show next month, rather than traditionally limiting the availability of S-series models to just the Japanese domestic market.

Apart from an expected hike in engine output, Subaru-STI’s S-series models also undergo a chassis strengthening program. Braces and stiffeners are strategically placed together with more track-driving focused suspension tuning from Bilstein.

The predecessor model pictured above, the S208 which was only made exclusive to the Japanese market, was unveiled at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. Production was limited to just 450 units - 100 units of standard specification and another 350 units in NBR Challenge Package.

Under the signature hood with large air-scoop, the venerable EJ20 turbocharged 2.0-litre boxer engine has been machine-balanced by the boffins at STI as well as added with niceties such as a new control unit, strengthened intake duct with performance air cleaner, plus a pair of less-restrictive exhaust mufflers.

The high-revving EJ20 in the S208 delivered 329 PS at 7,200 rpm and a healthy dose of torque of 432 Nm between 3,200 rpm and 4,800 rpm. All that power was sent to a six-speed manual transmission driving all-wheels with an improved calibration of the active torque vectoring and vehicle dynamic control systems.

Subaru is scheduled to launch the WRX STI S209 on January 14th 2019.