I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion) 01/15/2019 at 00:36 • Filed to: None

2

38

Mid cycle refresh for the Subaru Wrx Sti with forged internals, a decent power bump, wider BBS wheels and tires, carbon fiber roof, significant chassis bracing, suspension upgrades, cooling system enhancements and new body work.

Just kidding.

It’s actually a special, limited edition called the S209—first in a long series of S trim Subarus to make it stateside—that’s expected to sell for M2 money.

Is it cool? Yes. There are some very real upgrades that are far beyond the normal trim package, especially for Subaru.

Yet it’s hard to get past the fact that with forged internals, a bigger turbo, a new fuel pump, injectors, improved cooling, etc., etc. All Subaru was able to find was a 31 hp gain. That’s an additional 10% increase in horsepower, for an estimated $25,000 price increase. Just for Comparisons sake, the naturally aspirated 2019 Miata saw a 16% power bump over the outgoing model year, with a negligible price increase.

Of course, in such limited numbers Subaru will have no problem selling them all to loyal fans, but with an expected price of over $50,000, it’s going to be hard to justify for those outside of the fan base.

Pros

The best Sti yet. Subaru took their already fantastic platform and added many of the upgrades that enthusiasts have been clamoring for, in the name of making a true weapon on and off the track.

Cons

The expected price tag is astronomical. The $50, 000-$60,000 range is stacked with performance and luxury-performance options. When you can start looking at brand new GT350's, M2's, RS3's, 4C’s, etc., it becomes a much more difficult call to drive home in the Subaru.

Takeaway

Perfect for those willing to spend the big bucks on a high-performance AWD sedan with zero luxury pretensions.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

CB > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 00:40

5

The more I look at the STi, the more I think the WRX would be good enough. It’s expensive for what it is, in my opinion. And this special edition is just kind of... eh? “More power” doesn’t always work out when it comes at a much higher cost.

PowderHound > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 00:45

1

I’d rather have a 2.5rSti

AestheticsInMotion > PowderHound 01/15/2019 at 00:46

1

I’d rather have a V70r.

I like your choice, too

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 00:46

0

How expensive is a tune for these? I'm guessing it bumps up the power up by 25 30bhp too.

AestheticsInMotion > CB 01/15/2019 at 00:51

1

Do you plan on ditching the st soon?

For the Sti s209, I get that the wide array of modifications add a ton of very real value for those that are genuinely interested in having the best performing Subaru, but.... I would imagine most of those people are more than willing to do the work themselves instead of stomach the massive up charge , and they likely wouldn’t stop with such a modest power boost. And the people who aren’t interested in voiding their warranty with aftermarket parts but can afford $50k for a performance car... Likely aren’t looking for Subarus? I just don’t get the target audience for this.

Still happy it exists. Possibly the most performance-oriented awd vehicle until you get up into Gt-r range, no?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 00:53

1

Everyone who ponied up for the Type RA last year is gonna b e pissed.

CB > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 00:55

1

Soon-ish. Maybe another year with it.

AestheticsInMotion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/15/2019 at 00:58

0

My thoughts exactly. This is to the Type RA what a Focus RS is to an ST.

I really hope they hit the same $50k price that the Type RA (somehow) landed at

Textured Soy Protein > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 01:00

0

So it’s the Type RA for this year, basically . That one had an overbuilt motor and only like a 5 or 10 hp bump or  something.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 01:02

3

This platform looks so damn boring that even with all of the rice mods it's still looking like a Camry. I'm just salty that there isn't a hatch. That might actually look cool. 

gettingoldercarguy > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 01:08

1

It’ll be interesting to see what the stock turbo on this car is good for. May be a great factory upgrade for lesser sti models.

Wrx engine will prove to be superior shortly.

Easy with bolt ons the to get 350+ w hp, stock turbo. FA20dit

I run 265/35R18 on stock wrx body, no rubbing.

AestheticsInMotion > Textured Soy Protein 01/15/2019 at 01:09

0

The Ja lopnik article seems to be missing a good amount of info on all of the additions this h as over a standard Sti . The S209 s eems like a pretty huge upgrade in all areas other than power, whearas the Type RA was much closer to a standard Sti.

I think one could make the argument that you're getting a decent value for your money here, whearas with the Type RA that was a laughable idea. 

AestheticsInMotion > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/15/2019 at 01:11

1

It’s grown on me, although I of course wish there was still a hatch, too 

I'd like to believe an Evo will show up again and absolutely destroy whatever generation of Sti we're on at that point. From performance to looks. It's a nice dream... 

AestheticsInMotion > gettingoldercarguy 01/15/2019 at 01:14

1

I am curious about that. With so few cars being built we may have to wait awhile to see  much actual testing

gettingoldercarguy > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 01:21

0

Somebody will do an a b test on an otherwise stock sti

Chuckles > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 01:35

1

The black accents on the front bumper make it look like the bumper is too small and that it’s falling off the car.

AestheticsInMotion > Chuckles 01/15/2019 at 01:56

1

Oh.......

You've just ruined it for me

camarov6rs > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 01:57

1

Car and Driver has an article up that has this being compared to an ATS-Vs lighting lap time. They said Subaru was only a couple tenths off the time of a ATS-V so mighty impressive except for the fact that you are paying almost ATS-V money for an Impreza.

theloudmouth > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 07:24

1

This engine will likely be in the 2020 STI ensuring the same EJ25 is around another ten thousand years. No automaker can afford to homologate a new power train for 200 vehicles unless they are charging hundreds of thousands of dollars. This engine will, in some fashion, be in future STIs.

Chuckles > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 07:49

0

Maybe you could paint them to match the body? If so, it would restore the lines of the car and be fine.

ihm96 > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 09:26

0

CLA45 will still wipe the floor with it

Discerning > gettingoldercarguy 01/15/2019 at 10:56

1

Only the FA suffers from ring and failures just like the EJ.

Sub aru needs to invest more in the FA and give it some decent internals from the factory.

Discerning > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 10:57

0

A STI with forged internals? Sign me up. Tired of Subaru pushing out engines with junk pistons.

OmerCarrothers333 > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 11:27

0

$50-60k for a Scoobie is awfully steep, I think I’d rather have one of the other options. I mean, those make sense and even the Korean offerings at that price point carry a measure of cashé that makes sense, whereas people will look at you crazy for dropping that much coin on a Subaru.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 11:37

0

I dont mind the new gen STi, it is certainly a good car. Especially since its basically the same thing as my own car just slightly different looking and newer. I still excitedly give a Subaru wave to all of them and am happy that they are almost always returned; unlike miata waves to NCs... Not like subarus have ever been acused of being pretty anyways haha.

And while an Evo would be cool, there is no way that Mitsu is going to come back in any form other than some shitty econobox/crossover. One can dream though!

Textured Soy Protein > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 14:44

0

Main things I saw for the motor were forged internals, a bigger turbo, and a water sprayer for the intercooler. 

gettingoldercarguy > Discerning 01/15/2019 at 14:57

0

A lot of that had to do with how hard people are spinning that little mgt2259. It’s a 30 lb/min turbo and the exhaust backpressure numbers they’re running are massive. They need either water meth injection, lower hp numbers or a bigger turbo to run that  power f or an extended time.

Discerning > gettingoldercarguy 01/15/2019 at 15:03

1

I was talking to somebody at caffeine and octane who popped their original motor when they were making about 350whp on 93 octane. That just seems low for an engine failure compared to a 4G63 or even a 4B11.

What is considered a safe number on the stock shortblock?

gettingoldercarguy > Discerning 01/15/2019 at 16:05

0

You can run 350whp with the right mods, what was his mod list and how was it being driven? Track, etc.? Trying to do that with a tmic is asking  too much as you’re overspinning the turbocharger and that air is incredibly hot.

I’m not sure where the max safe number will be as tuners are still learning the ins and outs of the motor. I’ve seen mid 400s on a dyno queen run. This is the same with every engine, starts off low, pop early as can and can’t do strategies are learned. Once figured out the numbers and reliability go way up. I haven’t seen anybody run 350+ without a fmic or e30+.

gettingoldercarguy > Discerning 01/15/2019 at 16:14

0

Here’s the stock turbo map, very small turbo.  Can't believe the numbers people are getting out of it.

gettingoldercarguy > ihm96 01/15/2019 at 16:17

0

Nevermind, just realized you were talking about the S209. Yeah, the sti is overpriced for sure, but is about six seconds faster than the cla at  Virginia international raceway apparently.

Discerning > gettingoldercarguy 01/15/2019 at 16:50

1

Lo oking at your posts prompted me to look at the WRX a little closer.

The only other thing that seems like a bummer is the open diffs front and back.

Mayb e Subaru will put the FA in the S TI soon

gettingoldercarguy > Discerning 01/15/2019 at 16:56

0

Cool thing is sti drivetrain bolts right up. Also allows me to use an os giken front diff. This is my 2019 mod for next winter.

https://www.dccdpro.com

MM54 > AestheticsInMotion 01/15/2019 at 18:56

0

Bring.

Back.

The.

Hatch.

Discerning > gettingoldercarguy 01/15/2019 at 19:01

1

Th at is pretty cool.

gettingoldercarguy > Discerning 01/15/2019 at 19:06

0

Going to have to redo the alignment for how that changes the car's handling.

Discerning > gettingoldercarguy 01/15/2019 at 19:08

1

Do you already have a rear lsd if you’re installing a front LSD?

I have seriously considered a Subaru with the scarcity and poor condition evos out there, but I have trouble following the Subaru changes and features  for some reason.

gettingoldercarguy > Discerning 01/15/2019 at 19:15

0

It’ll have a factory rear lsd from the sti.  The os giken is way better than the factory one.