Subaru will launch a more track-focused version of
the WRX STI in the United States next year, with the special edition to make
its world premiere at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, on January 14. Named the Subaru WRX STI S209, it
will be offered in a limited number, though the Japanese company refrained from
telling us how many will be put together or for that matter, any other specific
details such as how much power it will have.
It shows the
grille of the car, with the ‘S209’ badge sitting on the lower left side, and
some red detailing meant to emphasize its sportier character. Elsewhere, we
expect it to get a slightly updated body kit and a massive rear wing, as
revealed in a previous teaser video.
In the power department, the 2020 Subaru WRX STI
S209 will probably have at least 325 horses. This will place it above the Type
RA version of the car, whose 2.5-liter engine produces 310 hp. Nevertheless,
it’s still inferior to the 380 hp expected from the Japan-only TC 380, and its
2.0-liter boxer engine.
Pricing for the first Subaru WRX STI ‘S’ sold in the
United States, after the S207 and S208, could start at US$ 45,000, or perhaps even
more. Keep in mind that the Subaru WRX Limited currently has an MSRP of US$ 41,395, while the base WRX STI can be had from US$ 36,595.
