2019 Subaru STI S209 Is Wound Up and Ready for Action

We have finally found the Subaru that dogs hate: the 2019 STI S209. Well, perhaps Beau, the miniature Australian shepherd, might not hate the track-oriented S209, but judging by the partly digested kibble he ralphed on the passenger’s seat, it’s fair to say he finds the ride nauseating.

But that’s just, like, one dog’s opinion, man. Beau’s reaction does, however, highlight the yawning chasm between the hot-rodded STI and the bulk of Subaru’s amiable, pet-friendly lineup. Of course, this limited edition isn’t made for dogs. It’s made for people who have almost $65,000 to spend on this, the swan song of the current-generation WRX STI. Subaru needs to find 209 of these people if it’s to sell the full run of S209s.

Those buyers will get the quickest STI we’ve ever tested. At the track, it got to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 13.0 flat. That’s a tenth quicker in both measures than we managed in its quickest predecessor. The S209 is powered by Subaru’s familiar turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four, as all previous STIs have been in the United States. But thanks to a larger turbine and compressor, higher boost pressure (18.9 psi versus 16.2), a high-flow fuel pump, larger fuel injectors, and a freer-flowing intake, the S209’s engine makes 341 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. That’s more horsepower than earlier versions of the engine produced but still quite a bit less than the vaping crowd manages to get out of their tuned WRXs. By the stand­ards of modern turbocharged engines, the S209’s mill suffers from plenty of lag.

And what kind of STI would this be if it didn’t come with a big wing? The S209’s is prominent. STI also adds aerodynamic dive planes (or “canards”) to the nose. And you you had better like blue or white because those are the only two available paint colors.

Subaru also worked over the chassis for S209 duty. Its 0.6-inch-wider track necessitated fender flares to cover the model-specific 265/35R-19 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A summer tires. Bilstein dampers, stiffer springs, and a 20-mm rear anti-roll bar deliver a dog-pukingly stiff ride. With the sticky tires and the S209’s Brembo brakes and perform­ance pads, the car turns in a 148-foot stop from 70 mph, with no fade after repeated tests

We Lap Subaru’s Track-Capable STI S209 at VIR

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What’s more, the S209’s stiffer setup delivers 1.04 g’s of grip around the skidpad, as well as improved handling precision and steering response, thanks in part to a front strut tower brace and a pair of oxymoronic-sounding flexible draw stiffeners. Used on some Japan-market STI specials, as well as Subaru’s Nürburgring race car, the draw stiffeners are basically chassis braces that incorporate a spring to put the structure under constant tension. STI bolted two under the front of the S209, connecting a crossmember to the unibody structure near the front suspension on each side, and one in the rear, connecting the rear shock towers.

According to Subaru, the S209 should be able to lap the Grand Course at Virginia International Raceway in just under three minutes, which would be at least five seconds better than the quickest STI we’ve tested there during our Lightning Lap events. Unfortunately, Subaru did not make one available for our most recent visit, but we don’t doubt its claim. The car pulls good numbers. It is a capable version of a dated car, one that proves you can teach an old dog new tricks. Just bring a rag for cleanup.

To improve the handling precision and steering response of its hottest vehicle, STI needed to reduce the standard car’s chassis flex. Enter the oxymoronic-sounding flexible draw stiffeners. Used on some Japan-market STI specials as well as Subaru’s Nürburgring race car, the draw stiffeners are basically chassis braces that incorporate a spring to put the structure under constant tension. STI bolted two under the front of the S209 [see above], connecting a crossmember to the unibody structure near the front suspension on each side, and one in the rear, connecting the rear shock towers.