S209 sti. 2019 Subaru STI S209 First Drive: S Marks the Spot 2020-02-08

The 2019 Subaru WRX STI S209 is taking on America with full force

A drop down menu will appear. Later during a ride-along with former Subaru rally racer Chris Atkinson, I notice he's not correcting his steering inputs, either. When the time eventually comes to slow down, the S209 has a set of Brembo brakes comprising cross-drilled rotors, 6-piston front calipers, two-piston rear calipers, and high-friction pads. The six-speed manual transmission and center differential controls, as well as the engine mode selector, are all familiar. The carbon-fiber rear wing and front underspoiler work together to create more downforce and stability.

The 2019 Subaru WRX STI S209 is taking on America with full force

Its electrically assisted steering is quick, direct, and blessed with moderate feel, while the adjustable center differential allows the driver to further fine-tune the chassis by varying the drivetrain's front-to-rear torque split. Deliveries are expected to begin around November, but the automaker is still sussing out the details of which dealers will receive them. Working its standard six-speed manual gearbox is a must to keep the car pulling strongly, including abusive, high-rpm clutch drops to achieve maximum acceleration from a standstill. Retailers are independent businesses and are free to set their own retail prices. Running flat-out, I sample another clever bit of S209 tech: Toggling either steering wheel paddle sends a mist of water from underhood nozzles onto the turbo intercooler for a burst of extra power. Here's how to disable adblocking on our site.

2019 Subaru WRX STI S209 first drive review: No more half measures

Occupants in front sit in thickly bolstered Recaro seats with silver center inserts. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date in late 2019. It's definitely a good recommendation, as it allows me and my co-driver to tilt the S209's nose toward an apex with a slight lift off the throttle. The total amount of lateral grip is the second obvious takeaway from this drive. These include the front splitter and canards, side spoilers, functional air outlets in the front fenders, and that big adjustable carbon-fiber wing in back which carries over from the S208. A flexible front-strut tower bar is split in the center and joined together by a pillow-ball joint. The upside to this potential demand, of course, is the promise of future S-Line products making it to these shores.

The 2019 Subaru WRX STI S209 Has So Much Grip Even Race Car Drivers Struggle To Get It Sideways

Infotainment and Connectivity Along with a 5. Given all of this, expect the S209 to be expensive. As a result, the rational half of our brain says go with the base version. The intake system has revised ducting, and a control on the steering wheel activates the intercooler water spray. Prices, specifications, options, features and models subject to change without notice. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising.

2019 Subaru STI S209 First Look

Bilstein dampers, stiffer in compression but softer in rebound vs. Suffice to say, they'll be hard to find and probably marked up. If you'd be so kind as to whitelist our site, we promise to keep bringing you great content. The S209 shares the Detroit spotlight with the , making this a vintage year for Japanese performance cars. There's plenty of visibility on all sides, and the honkin' wing out back doesn't obscure entire vehicles, which is a nice touch. All of these additions really underscore the hand-built nature of the S209 as well. Most of the S209's exterior modifications are either to cover the wider tires or contribute to reducing aerodynamic lift by 30 percent.

2019 Subaru WRX STI S209: 341 HP, Exclusive to America

It has adequate storage for small items on its center console, with the main spots being its console bin and smallish door pockets. This extreme grip helps the S209 develop over 1. Vents on the front fenders provide additional engine cooling, while vents on the rear fenders rectify air turbulence to reduce drag. New front canards and side spoilers manage airflow, while functional fender outlets help cool the engine compartment. However, all of the Subaru's competitors are hatchbacks that offer greater versatility for swallowing cargo.

2019 Subaru WRX STI S209 first drive review: No more half measures

The latter car's Brembo brake hardware carries over, but with higher-performing pads. For over 20 years, fans in the United States have looked upon the Japanese domestic market market with envy. I'm instantly struck by how delightfully direct and communicative the hydraulically assisted steering feels. But those are minor quibbles in an otherwise well-sorted machine. Both cars still offer a standard six-speed manual transmission for those interested in shifting for themselves. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

【スバル新型WRX STI/S4最新情報】EJ20 Final Edition発表！S209、WRX S4STIスポーツ、価格、燃費、発売日は？

Building high-performance models in house at a separate factory means this isn't an issue, though. My sole complaint on the track is that the shorter-throw shifter keeps hanging up between gates on my 3-4 upshifts. Canards on the front bumper and the adjustable wing out back help push the body toward terra firma, while a nearly obscene number of vents and inlets seek to channel air more efficiently, aiding cooling. Remember that it launched in 2004 with 300 horses. As Jalopnik explains, it has to do with the production standards for regular Subaru cars.