Subaru changes its mind and confirms it’s bringing back WRX STI a model that it said wasn’t coming back ever again.
Subaru did the one thing it said it would never do and brought back the STI as a limited production special.
Subaru announced three years ago that it was axing the WRX STI with no plans of ever bringing it back ever again as the company shifted focus to other projects including an increased focus on SUVs. Loyalists were not happy and were more than eager to voice their displeasure at the company whenever the opportunity arose. Subaru attempted to deliver compensation trophies in the form of models like the WRX TR which focused on upgrading some aspects of the car but stopped short of going all the way and bringing it back.
Those efforts were also criticized but it appears that all of the pent-up demand has finally forced Subaru to change its mind with the company confirming it’s bringing the STI back into production as the current generation WRX slowly prepares to ride off into the sunset albeit with one prominent catch.
Reborn STI Looks The Part
The apperance of the STI comes after consumers lashed out at Subaru for ending production of it three years ago.
The WRX Subaru had on display is based on the Japan-exclusive WRX S4 STi R Sport EX but it gets a new bodykit with a carbon fiber spoiler and black accents with the complicated name of its source material also being axed in the process. The rest of the exterior is shared with the WRX but the dark blue paint and the red accents in the grille drive home the point that this is the true range-topper in the WRX lineup.
Meanwhile, the interior gets eight-way carbon bucket seats, red seatbelts, piano-black trim, and a serial plate that denotes its place in the production order. It’s clear this version of the STI is attempting to balance comfort and performance with other appointments appearing to give ground when it comes to providing reasonable amounts of comfort to buyers.
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Read the fine print
The re-emergence of the STI comes as Subaru attempted to catch some of the original lightining in a bottle with models like the tS.
As mentioned, the STI’s return does come with a noticeable catch and that aspect reveals itself when you look at the performance hardware. The 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes less power than the S209 version with this new S210 STI producing 296 hp. That’s 25 more than the standard WRX but it’s a far cry from the last one which made 341 hp when it launched back in 2019.
However, the biggest trade-off is the transmission. Past STIs embraced a six-speed manual with the transmission rapidly morphing into a key aspect of the STI driving experience. This new one will not come with such an option and all of them will be equipped with a CVT. Just don’t call it a CVT in front of Subaru who prefer you call it the ” Subaru Performance Transmission.” Look past Subaru’s attempt at marketing it and it’s roughly what you think it is with the CVT replicating a traditional transmission. The STI also gets an upgraded exhaust system and different air intake with the engine’s ECU also getting tweaked. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires provide extra grip while Brembo front brakes, electronically operated suspension dampers and a Subaru Performance transmission cooler sharpen the rest of the driving experience.
Subaru plans to only build 500 units with the company choosing to not release pricing information on the model. However, expect it to command a hefty premium over a standard WRX due to its extreme rarity and the amount of upgrades Subaru gave it.
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