Subaru Brings Back WRX STI With A CVT
Subaru lied. Three years after declaring that a true STI version of the WRX was off the table, the company unveiled the WRX STI S210 at the Tokyo Auto Salon.
Based on the Japanese-market WRX S4 STI Sport R EX, the S210 gets a reworked 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine producing 296 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This marks an improvement of 25 hp and 19 lb-ft over the standard WRX sold in the U.S.
Performance gains come from upgrades to the exhaust system, intake ducts, and ECU calibration, with peak power hitting at 5,700 rpm and torque available as low as 2,000 rpm.
Now for the worst part: the S210 employs Subaru’s Performance Transmission, which is literally just a CVT with an oil cooler. Subaru says there's also STI-specific logic in the transmission control unit, but somehow that makes the whole proposition sound worse.
Subaru equipped the WRX STI S210 with 19-inch BBS forged wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, front Brembo brakes, and electronically controlled dampers. The aerodynamic enhancements include a carbon rear spoiler and a more aggressive body kit with black accents.
Inside, the S210 features premium eight-way adjustable Recaro carbon bucket seats, red seatbelts, piano-black trim, and a serialized plaque marking its exclusivity.
Subaru plans to produce just 500 units of the S210, with orders opening in Japan this spring. Pricing remains undisclosed. While the S210 doesn’t deliver a proper STI to enthusiasts, it's at least something.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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