The VA-spec Subaru WRX STi is sadly the last chapter of the WRX STi saga and although sad to see it go away because of the new normal, it cemented Subaru's history of creating a sports saloon that can tackle not just in rally stages but also on the Nurburgring.
From its 2014 launch to the EJ20 Final Edition, the VA-spec WRX STi has spawned various special variants to ensure its longevity including the S models tuned by STi for those who demand more. Out of all the S models, there's one that didn't make the cut on Japanese soil.
What you're looking at here is the STi S209, one of the DLC cars in the game. This is the first time an STi S model didn't sell to the Japanese public because it was exclusively sold in the United States, the first for an STi S model to do so. Time a deep dive into the un-Japanese STi S model.
Based on the facelifted VA-spec Subaru WRX STi, the S209 is the third STi-tuned model for the United States following the WRX STi Type RA and the Subaru BRZ tS released in 2018. Because this is sold exclusively Stateside, the engine that powers it is a tuned version of the EJ25 2.5L flat-four turbocharged engine offered in the world market version rather than the EJ20 for the Japan-spec WRX STi, producing 341hp of power and 330lb-ft of torque while mated exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Apart from that, the S209 features 19-inch forged BBC wheels wrapped in Dunlop 265/35R19 high-grip tires, the widest in an STi car, as well as a unique strut tower bar and draw stiffener that has been proven in the Nurburgring 24-hour race, carbon roof, and other aerodynamic upgrades to deliver improved airflow and downforce.
It is limited to 209 units exclusively for the US market.
For an STi that doesn't speak Japanese, the S209 truly is the peak of the STi S model lineage, and although not a worthy send-off to the WRX STi saga because the EJ20 Final Edition truly is the final chapter of the said rally legend, it's still more than enough to be called the final blow unleashed by Subaru. Judging by the way it handles and performs, this is a WRX STi like I've never experienced before and it seems the Japanese Subarists truly missed out on such a hardcore Subie too extreme to be ignored.
The STi S209 is the un-Japanese STi that made the other WRX STi variants look chewable and with such power, dynamics, and classic STi recipe that has been proven on the road, track, tarmac, gravel, and snow, this is truly the peak Subie above and beyond. Wait a minute, that wasn't right...the beauty of Subaru AWD perhaps? Sounds good to me. Speaking of beauty, it's time to give the S209 a worthy challenge to showcase the legendary WRX character that has been festooned since the original Subaru Impreza WRX STi of the 90s. But first...
Need to say this? Hard to miss one of the Miracle Kiratts cuties but hey, it brings out the best in this Subie here. Anyway, I've prepared a little challenge for the S209 and it's basically an "if" scenario I made up with. Before telling a little "what if" scenario, if you like this design I made on the STi S209, you can have one.
The share code is: 101 111 034
Anyway for this "what if" scenario I made;
"As some roads in Guanajuato left unrepaired indefinitely, the organizers hosted a rallycross event to raise funds for road repairs"
I've turned the streets of Guanajuato into an RX stage packed with some dirt roads slapped onto it and a non-functional joker that is tricky to get through. It's hard to make a joker on my made-up rallycross track in FH5 but hey, let's give my creation a shot in my specially-made S209. Roll the tape.
There's room for improvement with my Guanajuato RX experiment but hey, the S209 proved its worth and won.
It's sad to find out that the VA WRX STi really is the final chapter of the WRX STi saga that began in the 90s but it left a major impact in the history of Japanese sports cars and in the near future, it's worth becoming an instant classic. Although it's made for Subarists Stateside, the S209 is a worthy send-off to the legend that blew the rallying world away as well as in the Nurburgring.
Domo arigato, WRX STi. You made us proud.
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