In August 2014 the WRX STI was launched as a model on itself. Only available as sedan, it is a popular car in Japan as it offers a lot of practicality combined with high performance for a reasonable price. As previous WRX STI models, Subaru’s motorsports division STI likes to mingle with WRX STI models and offer a complete car in limited numbers. For this VA generation of the WRX STI, the first car to carry the S-label was the S207.
For the exterior, the S207 got exclusive parts like a new mesh front grille with S207 logo, a new front underspoiler and a new rear bumper. On the side of the car was an exclusive metallic side sill moldings. Interior changes included new Recaro bucket seats (including seat heating), new steering wheel, a new instrument cluster and side sill plates in with the S207 logo. The majority of the interior leather and trim parts had a silver stitching specifically to this special version.
These visible upgrades were complemented with a lot of changes under skin. The STI balanced engine had an output of 328 horsepower at 7200 rpm. Peak torque was a flat curve of 431 Nm between 3200 to 4800 rpm. It was made possible by a new turbocharger, ECU and exhaust system. STI performance 5W-40 oil was used for a good lubrication.
The chassis got a big revision as well. Exclusive to the S207 was the variable damping Bilstein suspension (known as DampMatic II) tuned by STI on the front. The rear had fixed damping setting on the Bilstein struts tuned by STI. Other unique S207 parts were the powersteering with 11-to-1 ratio instead of 13-to-1 ratio and re-tuned Vehicle Dynamics Control unit & Active Torque Vectoring system. A lot of STI catalog parts like the front flexible tower bar, front flexible draw stiffener and rear flexible support rear subframe were installed too. 19″ BBS wheels with 255/35 Dunlop Sport Maxx RT ensured good contact to road and Brembo brakes with 6-pot in the front and 4-pot in the rear gave the car the necessary stopping power.
As an option however, it was possible to get the NBR Challenge Package on 200 of the 400 available S207 units as a reference to Subaru’s victory on the Nurburgring 24h race SP3T class. For this option package, the different parts were mostly for appearance though the new Suede steering wheel might have a better grip for some people. In the interior the seatbelts were also changed to red-colored ones. The wheels were black instead of silver and on top of the trunk was placed a new carbon rear spoiler. Finally, a special sticker was placed under the S207 logo on the back of the car.
Out of the 200 units NBR Challenge Package, there were again 100 special units in an exclusive yellow color called Sunrise Yellow. For this version, the exterior mirror covers and side sill moldings were painted gloss black. The side sill garnishes in the interior also were in yellow for this version. A Yellow Edition had to be ordered within 1 month after the announcement of the model.
Other available colors for the S207 were WR Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Silica and Crystal White Pearl, with the latter costing an additional 32 400 Yen. The base price of the regular S207 was 6 Million Yen, already 0.6 Million Yen more expensive than the S206 was a few years before that. The S207 NBR Challenge Package added 0.3 Million Yen on top of the base price, and the Yellow Edition was again 50 000 Yen more expensive with a price of 6.372.000 Yen.
Two years after the S207, the S208 was released in November 2017. It had almost the same equipment and specifications as the S207, with the most important changes being: engine power output increase (a whole 1 horsepower versus the S207), balanced clutch cover and flywheel, the S207 NBR Challenge Package steering wheel as standard, unique floor mats floor carpet and a carbon trunk lip spoiler.
The S208 was available in 450 units of which 350 units could be had as the NBR Challenge Package. The most unique feature here was the carbon roof. The customer also had the choice to go for the carbon spoiler like the S207 NBR Challenge Package had or to go for the trunk lip spoiler like the regular S208. Finally there was a dedicated color called Cool Gray Kaki, a mix between gray, blue and green. Prices for the S208 ranged between 6.3 to 7.1 Million Yen.
Click on the picture below to see the S207, S208 and other WRX STI versions per year and detailed specifications such as weight, new price and equipment for each version in the Goo-net.com catalog.
