The first S-line WRX to be sold in the States, and said to take inspiration from the SP3T example that won its class at the Nürburgring 24 hours last year, the S209’s exterior additions include a wider bodykit, more flared wheel arches to accommodate the 19-inch forged BBS alloy wheels wrapped in Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600A rubber, a carbon fibre roof, broader air vents on the front fenders to improve cooling and S209 badges on the grille and on bootlid.
It is however a different story underneath where most of the changes from the standard WRX STI has taken place. These include cross-drilled Brembo brake rotors with a six-piston caliper setup at the front and two-piston at the rear, stiffer coil springs, so-called pillow front and rear bushings, a reinforced front crossmember and rear subframe, new front strut tower bar, a 20mm stabiliser bar at the rear and specially designed Bilstein dampers.
Inside, the interior has also seen a number of tweaks, namely an Ultrasuede covered D-shaped steering wheel with silver stitching that is replicated on the centre console lid, S209 badging on the headrests of the Recaro sport seats that come with silver inserts, and a S209 commemorative plaque on the centre console.
As with the S208 and Diamond Edition, the S209 carries over the stalwart EJ25 2.5-litre turbocharged flat-four Boxer engine, but which benefits from an HKS turbocharger with a bigger turbine and compressor, an intercooler water spray system derived from the second generation WRX STI sold between 2004-2007, a new high-flow intake system made up of a new intake duct, induction box, air filter and silicone turbo inlet duct, high performance fuel pump, larger injectors, a hand-polished stainless exhaust, sports muffler, a STI fiddled ECU and forged connecting rods and pistons.
Surprisingly, Subaru has declined to provide exact power and performance figures, merely stating that the changes applied to the S209 up front will translate to an output of 254kW, down six kilowatts on the amount of shove provided by the Diamond Edition, but up on the 242kW produced by the S208.
Like its international siblings, the S209 is only available with a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox that sends the amount of grunt to all four wheels via Subaru’s trademark Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. In addition, the marque’s Driver Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD), SI-Drive mode selector with three settings (Intelligent, Sport and Sport Sharp) and Active Torque Vectoring are also included.
Set to arrive in the US later this year, the S209 will be limited to 200 units only and come in two body colour/wheel hues; Crystal White Pearl/gold and World Rally Blue/grey.
