Subaru Tecnica International, in a first, sends S209 to U.S.

DETROIT — For nearly 20 years, Subaru Tecnica International, Subaru Corp.'s motorsports arm, has rolled out high-performance variants of the WRX STI under its S-line exclusively for the Japanese market.

That changes with the 2019 STI S209. It's headed for the United States and the U.S. only, a first for STI.

The all-wheel-drive S209, debuting today at the Detroit auto show, is stuffed with performance upgrades and styling tweaks that will make it stand out in Subaru's STI lineage.

Power is supplied by a 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine that features an STI turbocharger as well as a larger turbine and compressor, which gives the S209 341 hp, an increase of 31 hp over the base 2019 WRX STI. The WRX STI is based off the previous generation Impreza sedan.

The S209 comes with only a six-speed manual transmission.

Subaru's participation in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race can also been seen with the S209.

This includes a wide-body exterior treatment, front, rear and side spoilers, front bumper canards as well as a carbon fiber roof panel and rear wing.

It also gets 19-inch wheels, Dunlop tires developed exclusively for the S209 and Brembo brakes, Subaru noted.

The S209 will be offered in two color combinations: blue with gray wheels or white with gold wheels.

Inside, there's a black interior with silver accents on the Recaro front seats, red accents on the dash and an STI badge instead of the Subaru logo on the steering wheel.

Subaru of America, one of the hottest-selling brands in the U.S., said around 200 units will be built. The S209 will be produced at Subaru's Gunma plant in Japan and then undergo final assembly at a Subaru factory in Kiryu, Japan, where STI completes its S-line vehicles.

Pricing will be released closer to launch late this year. Given the performance upgrades, it'll likely carry a hefty premium over the base WRX STI, which starts at $37,480, including shipping.