Subaru’s New WRX S4 STI S210, Don’t Hold Your Breath U.S. Fans

A new STI S is on its way.  

Remember the iconic Subaru WRX STI S209, a performance car that has long been a favorite among enthusiasts? A new 2025 WRX S4 STI S210 is on the horizon, but unfortunately, it won't be available in the U.S. Let's delve into the details of this exciting new model.

The 2020 Subaru WRX STI S209, sold in the U.S., was a performance car to get your hands on. The only problem was that the S209 was a limited production model, and only 209 were available for performance fans. So, not many got their hands on one. If you did, it's not being driven because it's a rare collector's car. 

You knew it was coming.

Now, Subaru Corporation is crafting a new WRX S4 STI S210, a special edition limited production model exclusively for Japanese customers. This exclusivity adds a layer of intrigue for U.S. performance enthusiasts who can only admire it from afar, sparking a keen interest in the details of this unique model. 

Details come from BestCarWeb, which says, "Well, we just got some interesting information from a Subaru salesperson, and it's amazing to hear that the WRX S4 will be available as an S-series STI complete car, the S210."

STI is alive and well.

The all-new Subaru WRX S4 STI S210 is the latest addition to the S Series of performance cars, a collaboration between Subaru Corporation and Subaru Tecnica International (STI). STI, Subaru's renowned performance and motorsports partner, is at the helm of this project, ensuring that the new model lives up to its high-performance legacy. 

Like the U.S.-specification WRX STI S209, this new hot model will sell out quickly because it, too, is a limited-production sports car. Expect STI to have fun with the FA24 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine. It's not a production model, so Subaru Corp. and STI can ramp up the power. 

BestCarWeb says, "It's true that while it's not possible to increase engine power in mass-produced models, it is possible to do so as an STI complete car. The fact that it is being planned as a complete model called the S210 is convincing."

The S209 was not a Subaru; it was an STI.

The ultra-exclusive, most powerful STI ever produced was technically not a Subaru. Subaru Tecnica International's custom shop, hidden in Kiryu, Japan, made extensive revisions and upgrades, then shipped to U.S. dealers. Read my report here. 

Subaru said the run of 209 models was required for homologation (the practice of building enough to be considered a production car).

The standard 2019 Subaru WRX STI's turbocharged EJ25 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine made 310 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque. The 2020 STI S209 took the standard engine and ramped up the turbocharger's boost pressure, resulting in an estimated output of 341 horsepower. Torque increased by 10 percent to 319 lb-ft.

The horsepower and torque of the new WRX S4 STI S210 performance car are unknown. However, it will get more power than the standard Japanese-spec WRX S4 model.

It won't be cheap.

BestCarWeb says, "It's highly likely that the starting price of the all-new WRX S4 S210 will be at least 8 million yen (around $50,000 USD).

Subaru of America priced the limited production STI S209, the first-ever S-line STI produced exclusively for the U.S. market, at $64,880, including destination and delivery charges. 

We don't have proof because Subaru retailers will not deluge final sales figures, but I suspect there were huge markups.  

We eagerly await its debut early next year.

The expected schedule is that it will be exhibited for the first time at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2025, the exact dates being January 10 - January 12. 

Will it come to the U.S.? The potential arrival of the new WRX S4 STI on U.S. shores, especially after the discontinuation of the STI, remains uncertain, sparking curiosity and excitement among U.S. performance car enthusiasts.

The 2020 U.S. spec Subaru WRX STI S209 was the first and likely the last S Series performance model for U.S. customers. 

Don't hold your breath. 

However, its impending release has sparked curiosity and anticipation among U.S. performance car enthusiasts, eager to see if this exclusive model will make its way to their shores. 

I will bring details of the new WRX S4 S210 when they become available closer to the Tokyo Auto Salon. There are only six months to wait. 

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru