Contrary to earlier announcements, Subaru has resurrected the WRX STI. However, this heart-racing model will only be available to buyers in one country, and it has a transmission that might make die-hard track enthusiasts grind their teeth.

The WRX STI S210 offers a glimpse of what Subaru can achieve when reviving its performance-oriented lineup. However, its limited run, Japan-exclusive availability, and the divisive CVT-only transmission make it a bittersweet release.

The door to a new Subaru WRX STI has officially cracked open, as Subaru has revealed a Japan-only WRX STI S210 Prototype at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Subaru has previewed a new WRX STI prototype to be sold in a limited run of just 500 units, but is it worthy of the STI badge? Well, that depends on who you ask. According to Subaru, this is a legitimate STI vehicle,

Subaru ’s not bringing back the WRX STI, but it’s definitely having fun with the regular WRX . We’ve shown you the 670-horsepower race car conversion a.k.a. Project Midnight , as well as the highly futuristic Sport Mobility design study that hinted at Subaru sports cars in the next decade.

The WRX STI S210 is the most powerful version of the current-generation model with 296 hp from the upgraded 2.4-liter boxer engine

Subaru is previewing the next iteration of its popular S version of the even more popular WRX STI. The aptly named Subaru WRX STI S210 Prototype is a preview of what’s to come from Subaru’s performance arm later this year. This special edition is making its debut at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Subaru lied.Three years after declaring that a true STI version of the WRX was off the table, the company unveiled the WRX STI S210 at the Tokyo Auto Salon.Based on the Japanese-market WRX S4 STI Sport R EX,

The latest Subaru WRX doesn’t live up to the lofty standards set by its Impreza WRX forebears, not least because it’s been missing a truly driver-focused version in the mould of the old 22B or RB5. But with the new WRX S210 STI,