2019 Subaru STI S209: From the Nurburgring to your road

• The 2019 Subaru STI S209 introduces the world's first high-performance STI S-line in the US.
• The upcoming STI S209 is directly inspired by the WRX STI Nürburgring Challenge race car.
• Chassis performance includes flexible strut struts, stiffeners and other modifications.

Subaru Subunku, Subaru Tecnica International (or STI for those in the know) remains top of the mountain when it comes to factory and approved fast cars. Now it seems that there is something beyond that, even beyond the powerful STI. It is called the STI S209 and is the world's first S-line STI produced exclusively for the US market. And it will set the tone for future S-line products. The 2019 Subaru STI S209 feels like a super version of the "normal" super version of the STR WRX.

As you (should) know, the WRX is a Subie racing car. It's incredible as it is, but it's even more amazing when STI is done with it. So you can only imagine what the STI S209 is like.

2019 Subaru STI S209: Ring Inspired'

The STI S209 is undergoing a thorough overhaul for power, handling, aerodynamics and driver engagement. Engine modifications and body structure modifications are carried out in advance at the company's assembly plant in Kiryu, Japan. As the name suggests, there have been other S cars, from the 2000 S201 to the 2018 S208. They were exclusive to the Japanese market, so this time we got lucky in the US..

The S209 uses a lot of tricks from the WRX STI Nürburgring Challenge race car that won the 2019 SP3T class at the 24 Hours. Like a racing car, the S209 wears an extended wide body for its looks. This increases the overall width of the car to 72.4 inches, 1.7 inches wider than the standard WRX STI. This wide bodyguard covers Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600A 265/35 summer tires. These tires are wrapped around lightweight 19x9" BBS forged alloy wheels that run on a wider +0.6" front and rear track. Dunlop has developed tires exclusively for the S209. And yes, they pay off: the maximum lateral grip is over 1.0g, says Subaru.

The front fenders also feature vents for additional engine cooling. Air vents on the rear fenders eliminate air turbulence, which reduces drag and increases downforce. Removing it from speed is handled by Brembo brakes with cross-drilled steel rotors, as well as six-piston monobloc front calipers and two-piston monobloc rear calipers. Does Fuji Heavy Industries make trains? Because it could stop one if they did.

2019 Subaru STI S209 in WR Blue Pearl. Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.

Chassis and engine technology

In addition to brakes, tires and that wider body, the S209 rides on custom Bilstein shocks; stiffer coil springs; rear anti-roll bar 20 mm; and pillow type bushings for the front and rear side links. The front cross member and rear subframes are reinforced but complemented by a flexible front brace and front/rear linkage struts. The traction boosters as well as the rest of the suspension improve stability, handling and overall steering response. For example, a flexible tower rod, unlike a conventional rigid rod, is divided and connected with a ball joint in the center. This allows it, according to Subaru, to be more longitudinally agile and also contributes to the lateral reinforcement of the car's body.

There are also front, rear and side under spoilers and front bumper bumpers. The carbon roof and rear fender are ripped off the Nürburgring race car.

The 2019 Subaru STI S209 adopts a high flow intake system with a new intake port; induction box with conical air filter; silicone turbo inlet; and a water spray system to reduce boost temperatures using paddles on the steering wheel. More air means more fuel, so the S209 gets a new high-output fuel pump, larger injectors, and an STI-compliant engine control module. The high performance mufflers offer 17 percent less drag and connect to hand-polished 101mm stainless steel exhaust tips.

2019 Subaru STI S209 in Crystal White Pearl. Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.

How much power does a Subaru STI S209 have??

Force? Don't be afraid, STI is here. The S209 is powered by a redesigned version of the EJ25 2.5L turbocharged turbocharger (all caps). An HKS turbocharger with a larger turbine and compressor and 18.9 psi boost gives the engine 341 horsepower. The engine itself is adorned with a plate with serial number S209 and torque. How does 330nm sound work? It sounds good.

In the gearbox department, the S209 comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. It channels power to Subaru's stock symmetrical all-wheel-drive system with front/rear limited-slip differentials. There is a driver-controlled center differential (DCCD) with active torque vectoring and multi-mode vehicle dynamics control. The SI-Drive system has been recalibrated to offer three modes: Intelligent (I) for better fuel economy and smoother handling; Sport (S) for more fun driving; and Sport Sharp (S #) for better acceleration times (and even more fun!). Personally, I'd call the latter "stupid" or "funny" or something, but maybe it's more like "Elon Musk"?

Curiously, STI engineers say that for sporty driving one should use the Sport instead of the Sport Sharp, as the less aggressive throttle map provides more control. So Sport for the track and Sport Sharp for the striptease, got it?

2019 Subaru STI S209 interior layout. Photo: Subaru of America, Inc.

Visual procedures and styles

To set it apart, the S209 wears an STI badge in place of Subaru's traditional star cluster in the center of the D-shaped steering wheel. This wheel is wrapped in Ultrasuede and stitched in silver, as is the center console cover. The S209 serial number badge is located on the center console, while S209 badges adorn the instrument panel and Recaro seat headrests. On the outside, special badges are found on the front grille and fenders, as well as on the back cover.

Related: An in-depth look at Subaru's warranty and if you have enough coverage.

2019 Subaru STI S209: Pricing and Availability

Now for the bad news: only 209 STI S209 units will be built. All of them are going to the USA, but this is not very much. Line? Go into it now. Available BBS wheel colors and combinations: WR Blue Pearl/Gray and Crystal White Pearl/Gold wheels. Prices will be announced closer to the sale date later this year, but will likely be very high, if they stay at all. Sorry about that.