Subaru "S210" Prototype Unveiled

[chanomatik]

YouTube (Short URL)

YouTube (Short URL)

https://www.sti.jp/en/news/detail/20250110en

STI first Releases STI complete car "S210" Prototype in Japan

Subaru Corporation's motorsport subsidiary Subaru Tecnica International Inc*1 has announced today, 10 January 2025, the S210, a model of the S series, the pinnacle of the STI complete cars, based on the WRX S4 STI Sport R EX.

The S210 is a direct derivative model of the race car that competes on one of the world's toughest tracks, incorporating technology and knowledge gained from the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race*2 where STI takes on a challenge, and offers maneuverability that allows the driver to control the car at will.

The engine is based on the WRX S4's FA24, and a newly developed air cleaner, intake ducts and pre-turbo ducts for the intake system and for the exhaust system a low back pressure muffler with a newly developed large diameter tail pipe and an exhaust pipe rear with a cannonball shaped chamber have been introduced to reduce intake and exhaust resistance thoroughly. Also, with the ECU being specially tuned, this car delivers a maximum output of 300 hp (development target). The linear torque response to acceleration ensures the engine output characteristics which allow the driver to press the accelerator pedal with a sense of security and confidence in all situations.

This is the first S-series vehicle to feature the Subaru Performance Transmission. By tuning the gearshift characteristics to match the engine output characteristics, driving force characteristics with a high degree of controllability have been achieved. The result is an extremely heightened pleasure of driving as the driver's intentions are precisely transmitted to the car.

Around the suspension, the vehicle features Michelin 255/35R19 high-grip tires, STI Flexible Performance Wheels with specific shapes for front and rear, specially tuned electronic control dampers and coil springs, and newly developed rear stabilizer bushes. For the brakes, Brembo front 6-pot calipers, special brake pads as well as front and rear drilled rotors are combined. Together with specially tuned electric boosters, a braking system with excellent controllability has been realized.

In addition to STI's unique Flexible parts proven in the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race car, the body is fitted with aerodynamic parts such as the newly developed and STI Sport Side Garnish and STI Dry Carbon Rear Spoiler to regulate air flow and achieve high handling performance.

The seats are newly developed RECARO 8-way power seats with carbon backrests*3, providing a high degree of hold and comfort. The interior is based on black tones to offer a space where the driver can concentrate on driving, with red coloring added for effect, creating a special specification that gives the driver high expectations for driving and the pleasure of ownership.

The S210 STI Complete Car is limited to 500 units. The sales method will be announced in spring 2025.
*1: Subaru Tecnica International Inc (President: Hiromi Tamo, Mitaka City, Tokyo, Abbreviation: STI)
*2: Official name as ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring.
*3: RECARO® is a registered trademark of RECARO Holding GmbH.

***12304;Main Features of the STI complete car S210***12305;*4
***9632;Exterior
***12539;Front grill (painted in crystal black silica, cherry red stripe)
***12539;Door mirror cover (painted in crystal black silica)
***12539;Shark fin roof antenna (painted in crystal black silica)
***12539;STI Dry Carbon Rear Spoiler
***12539;S210 ornaments, front and rear
***12539;STI emblem, rear
***12539;Full LED high and low beam lamps (black bezels)
***12539;Front LED accessory liner
***12539;STI Front Under Spoiler (painted in crystal black silica)
***12539;STI Side Under Spoiler (painted in crystal black silica)
***12539;STI Rear Side Under Spoiler (painted in crystal black silica)
***12539;STI Rear Under Diffuser (painted in crystal black silica)
***12539;STI Sport Side Garnish (wide type and painted in crystal black silica) with S210 ornament

***9632;Interior
***12539;Leather wrapped steering wheel (dark red stitches, comfortable feel, piano black tone decorative panels) with STI ornament
***12539;Shift boot (leather + dark red stitches)
***12539;Push engine switch (cherry red + STI logo)
***12539;RECARO® Carbon Backrest front seats (Nappa leather) and rear seats (black, genuine and synthetic leathers)
***12539;Driver and passenger seats: 8-way power seats (sliding forward and back /tilting forward/lifter /reclining)
***12539;Instrument panel mid trim and door trim (outer wrapping and design stitches S210 embroidery)
***12539;Center tray decoration (dark cast metallic, black outer wrapping and dark red stitches)
***12539;Floor console lid (BRIN***12539;NAUB®*4 outer wrapping and black stitches)
***12539;Door armrests (BRIN***12539;NAUB® outer wrapping and black stitches)
***12539;Instrument panel decorative panel (piano black tone)
***12539;Front and rear inner door handle decorative panels (piano black tone)
***12539;S210 serial number plate

***9632;Safety Features
***12539;Front 3-point ELR seat belts with pretensioners and force limiters (red)
***12539;3-point ELR seat belts (red for left and right) for all rear seats

***9632;Suspension and Mechanism
***12539;255/35R19 high-performance tires (Michelin Pilot Sport 4S)
***12539;STI Flexible Performance Wheel Front (BBS 19' x 9.0J forged, mud black paint, FRONT engraved)
***12539;STI Flexible Performance Wheel Rear (BBS 19' x 9.0J forged, mud black paint, REAR engraved)
***12539;STI Flexible Draw Tower Bar Front (with S210 logo)
***12539;STI Flexible Draw Stiffener Front (with S210 logo)
***12539;STI Flexible Draw Stiffener Rear (with S210 logo)
***12539;SUBARU Performance Transmission Fluid Cooler
***12539;Damping materials (spare tire pans, trunk space)
***12539;Rear stabilizer bush for S210
***12539;Brembo front 18-inch ventilated disc brakes [drilled disc rotors and monoblock opposed 6-pot calipers (painted in red, with STI logo)]
***12539;Rear 17-inch ventilated disc brakes [drilled disc rotors and calipers (painted in red)]
***12539;Electronic control damper (made by ZF) and Coil Spring for S210
***12539;Drive mode select control for S210
***12539;Dedicated ECU***12539;TCU
***12539;STI low pressure loss air cleaner element and duct (with STI serial number plate) , and pre-turbo duct
***12539;STI low pressure loss performance muffler and exhaust pipe rear
*4***65306;features and equipment names are subject to change.
*5***65306;BRIN***12539;NAUB® is a registered trademark of TB Kawashima (currently AUNDE Boshoku Co, Ltd.).

***12304;Main S210 Specifications (development target values based on prototypes)***12305;
Overall length/width/height (mm) 4690×1845×1465
Seating Capacity 5
Wheelbase(mm) 2675
Minimum turning radius(m) 5.6
Dry weight (kg) 1630
Engine FA24 2.4-liter Horizontally-Opposed four cylinder, DOHC,Direct injection turbo
Max. output (net) [kW(PS)/rpm] 221(300)/5700
Max. torque (net) [Nm (kgm)/rpm] 375(38.2)/2000-5600
Transmission Subaru Performance Transmission
steering Rack and pinion
Suspension 4-wheel independent Suspension
Brake(Front/Rear) Ventilated disc/Ventilated disc
Tires 255/35R19

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[bWRX]

They are seriously gonna make an S based on a WRX huh?

[Kostamojen]

CVT...

[mcarb002]

Same horsepower as blobeye from 20
years ago bro….Subaru has completely lost it. Just stop. Give it up.

[Ultimateone]

lmao

.

[VarmintCong]

How many diffs does it have? This is a GRC competitor right?

[pearljam11]

Imagine going back in time to 2008 and telling someone that not once would the STi be given a significant power increase EVER and then they killed it. And every BRZ (non-existent I know) and wrx would also not see any noteworthy change.

It tracks for the state of things in 2025 but defies comprehension otherwise.

[chanomatik]

Well, the S209 made more power, but I get your point.

For whatever reason, Subaru of Japan refuses to put a manual in their WRX, which has had a CVT-only since the VA. At the time it kind of made sense because the WRX was a step above the Impreza as a fun commuter car and the STI was the purpose-built performance car. However, ever since they killed the STI they've been desperately trying to make "fetch" (WRX) a thing, without putting in real work.

[ajsti24]

Nice! Another STi sourced parts bin catalog already installed!

[samagon]

what in the name recognition cash grab is going on in here?

[chanomatik]

They really should just go back to adding a bunch of words after the name:

Subaru WRX DIT tS Sport 2.4GT spec.B Type RA-R-RS Nurburgring Challenge Edition

[fredzy]

Yikes

[Apb_pools]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

They really should just go back to adding a bunch of words after the name:

Subaru WRX DIT tS Sport 2.4GT spec.B Type RA-R-RS Nurburgring Challenge Edition

And people are gonna buy it still, so go figure.

[Z3RO]

I dont understand why the will not cross the 300 mark. Are these engines just not capable to making it past 300Hp and be reliable?

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by Z3RO

I dont understand why the will not cross the 300 mark. Are these engines just not capable to making it past 300Hp and be reliable?

Transmissions. The 5MT/6MT non-Aisin transmissions can pretty much only handle 276 HP. The High Torque CVTs, however, have been able to handle 300 HP.

If they just threw the Aisin 6MT from the STI in the WRX, this wouldn't be a problem at all. But then the STI would be returning in a way that wouldn't be as planned.

[dwf137]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

Transmissions. The 5MT/6MT non-Aisin transmissions can pretty much only handle 276 HP. The High Torque CVTs, however, have been able to handle 300 HP.

If they just threw the Aisin 6MT from the STI in the WRX, this wouldn't be a problem at all. But then the STI would be returning in a way that wouldn't be as planned.

The 5/6MT can handle more than that even on a stock clutch. Proven many times over on this forum, including myself. There are examples of 400+ hp/tq on stock clutches. Unless there's a side-by-side bench testing of the transmissions, nobody can convince me that a belt-driven CVT can handle more torque than a geared manual transmission. It's just basic mechanical engineering - a belt driven CVT relies on friction between two slipping steel elements while a geared transmission has active engagement. Throw a better clutch at it if the clutch is the weak point.

Honestly, I think it has to do with emissions. That's why they said the STI didn't have legs, they couldn't get the new gen engine to meet emissions requirements at higher horsepower options.

Not offering the STI aisin trans in a high trim wrx is a big mistake though, imo.

[samagon]

Originally Posted by dwf137

The 5/6MT can handle more than that even on a stock clutch. Proven many times over on this forum, including myself. There are examples of 400+ hp/tq on stock clutches. Unless there's a side-by-side bench testing of the transmissions, nobody can convince me that a belt-driven CVT can handle more torque than a geared manual transmission. It's just basic mechanical engineering - a belt driven CVT relies on friction between two slipping steel elements while a geared transmission has active engagement. Throw a better clutch at it if the clutch is the weak point.

Honestly, I think it has to do with emissions. That's why they said the STI didn't have legs, they couldn't get the new gen engine to meet emissions requirements at higher horsepower options.

Not offering the STI aisin trans in a high trim wrx is a big mistake though, imo.

rated for use by a manufacturer where they have agreements in place to not exceed that rating is very different from what an enthusiastic owner might be able to push.

[chanomatik]

The teeth on the gears of the WRX transmission are small, especially compared side-by-side with the STI transmission. The WRX transmission can not handle more power unless you baby the transmission. I owned one, and I've witnessed people's driving habits vs how a car could or should be driven. What I've come to appreciate is that the Aisin-designed BRZ/STI transmissions are MUCH more forgiving to abuse compared to the WRX transmission. And when I say "abuse" I mean repeated aggressive driving.

I don't consider outliers of WRX owners who know how to shift perfectly during daily drives or autox use as the norm. Generally, enthusiasts are going to suck at shifting and the reliability of a transmission/car comes down to how it's generally driven. I think the VA WRX transmission improved slightly, but I'm not really sure how since the 6-speed was still basically the 5-speed. I do recall Subaru saying they improved the synchros on the VB.

Regardless, there's a reason this isn't the first time an HTCVT Subaru was given 300 HP while the non-Aisin manual has not.

[Diz]

Pathetic. Do it right or let it die.

[Pre]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

CVT...

Still no Diffs. Still NOT Rick James B!

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by samagon

what in the name recognition cash grab is going on in here?

Every gen has had an "S" version. This is just the lastest. Thing is, the "S"s most always come at the end of the life of the gen. I am now asking.......what's next?

[Kostamojen]

YouTube (Short URL)

YouTube (Short URL)

[YungBoba]

Originally Posted by JustyWRC

Every gen has had an "S" version. This is just the lastest. Thing is, the "S"s most always come at the end of the life of the gen. I am now asking.......what's next?

This is incorrect, is it not? The VA chassis had S207, S208, S209. S207 came out in 2016 which was one year after the VA launched. If anything, that makes the S210 a bit late, relative to the timeline of S cars for the VA.

[Scooby-Doode]

What a dirty trick Subaru is playing with its STi fan base. Back to regularly scheduled programming.

[Snitt]

They're really stuck on the godawful plastic cladding above the wheels, aren't they? Until they can move past that cosmetic vomit, I only need to look at a picture to tell me that Subaru is still a joke. Don't care what engine it has. Don't care what transmission it has. Until they can make a car that actually looks good, they'll never convince me that they're anything but a bunch of half-wits with an Etch-a-Sketch.

I've been out of my '04 WRX for about 15 years now. Had my Golf R for 9 years. It's getting long in the tooth, so I'm considering another R, an Elantra N, and a GRC. Subaru isn't on my radar, and I suspect that this latest STi won't be on many other peoples' radar either.

They made the right call by limiting this piece of garbage to under 1000 units.