Subaru really does know how to tease. They’ve built the most-desirable WRX STI possible, fitted it with the rarest parts you can find, limited production to only 450 units, and sold all examples exclusively in Japan.
This is the WRX STI S208 and here’s what were’s missing out on.
Technically it’s still a standard WRX STI underneath, except for some minor tweaks. Power from the 2.0L turbo-4 has been bumped up to 329 hp, the steering rack now has a quicker ratio, plus a re-mapped Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) and Active Torque Vectoring. Other than that, the S208 truly is a aftermarket parts bin special.
It gets a bunch of original STI parts such as a flexible tower brace, an adjustable DampMatic® II front suspension, and bits and bobs underneath. The 19-inch forged aluminum wheels are sourced from BBS, while the 18-inch discs brakes with 6-pot calipers are supplied by Brembo. Unique to the S208 are the large front splitter, horizontal slats on the bumper, as well as the S208 badges dotted all around to remind you just how special it is.
There is a ‘standard’ S208, of which only 100 examples will be built. Each one will set you back ¥6.264 million (P2.839 million), available in either WR Blue Pearl and Crystal White Pearl, and is a purely 6-speed manual affair.
What you should really be wanting, however, is the S208 NBR Challenge Package that goes for ¥6.890 million (P3.121 million). That gets you a dry carbon fiber trunk lip spoiler, dry carbon fiber roof, and black wheels, plus an exclusive Cool Grey Khaki Edition color. Add a little extra and Subaru will throw in a carbon rear wing in the package.
But because you really can’t buy a WRX STI S208 unless you’re in Japan, we’ve included a parts list so you can build one yourself.
Suspension System and Wheels
STI-tuned Bilstein front struts (DampMatic® II, inverted type) and coil springs
STI-tuned Bilstein rear dampers and coil springs
STI-designed BBS 19-inch×8 1/2J forged aluminum wheels
255/35R19 92Y tires (Dunlop Sport Maxx RT with special sound-absorbing sponge)
STI-designed flexible front tower brace
STI-designed flexible front draw stiffeners
STI-designed front suspension supports
STI-designed rear suspension flexible support subframe
STI-designed pillow ball bush rear suspension links
Brembo 18-inch front disc brakes (drilled disc rotors and monobloc opposed-piston 6-pot calipers)
Brembo 18-inch ventilated rear disc brakes (drilled disc rotors and monobloc opposed-piston 2-pot calipers)
Exclusive high-output balanced engine (with serial number and STI Performance ornament)
Exclusive engine control unit (ECU)
Balanced clutch cover and flywheel
Twin scroll ball bearing turbocharger
Intercooler water spray (with toggle switch)
Performance muffler with lowered back pressure teamed with exclusive rear exhaust pipe
STI-designed strengthened silicon intake duct
Performance shroud
Quick-ratio steering gearbox (11:1)
Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system
Active Torque Vectoring system
STI-designed low-pressure-drop air cleaner element
STI Performance Oil (Motul 5W-40)
Interior
STI-designed Recaro front bucket seats
Rear seats (black leather with silver stitching and accents)
Decorative instrument panel (red, with S208 ornament)
Side sill plates (with S208 logo)
Door arm rests (silver stitching, metallic power window switch panel)
Serial number plate (console)
Exterior
Mesh-type front grill (cherry-red stripe with S208 ornament)
Large front underspoiler
Side bumper bezel (steel mesh and chrome plating)
Black side garnish with STI emblem
Satin-plated door mirrors (with foot lamp)
Metallic side sill moldings
Rear bumper (cherry-red stripe with air outlet grill)
S208 rear ornament
Dry carbon-fiber trunk lip spoiler
NBR Challenge Package Exclusive Equipment
STI-designed BBS 19-inch×8 1/2J forged aluminum wheels
Dry carbon-fiber roof
Black door mirrors (with foot lamp)
High gloss black side sill moldings
Carbon Trunk Lip: Dry carbon-fiber trunk spoiler
Carbon Rear Wing: Dry carbon-fiber rear spoiler (with S208 logo)
