The New Ultimate STI: Subaru Debuts S206

Subaru has a long and complicated performance history.  They've been making turbo Impreza's since 1992, and along the way there's been a dizzying array of ultra-high performance derivatives.  The standard higher-performance WRX - the STI - has had plenty of derivatives itself.  Clumps of letters and numbers: Type RA, Spec C, P1, RB5, 22B, Series McRae, Catalunya, Turbo Terzo, WR Sport, S202 - all designations that dedicated Subieheads worship.  Among the hottest have been the S20x cars, starting with the S201 on the old-school GC8 Impreza chassis back in 1999.  It featured a wild body kit, a larger turbo with more boost, and a then unheard-of 305bhp - back when Japanese manufacturers stuck to the "276bhp" gentleman's agreement.

S202 through S204 were based on the second-generation Impreza, each receiving upgraded engines and suspensions with reduced weight.  The third-generation models received an "R205" variant of the hatchback STI in 2010, and now the S206 is here.  What's special about it?  What's with all these crazy numbers?

The S206 is based on the newly reintroduced STI sedan - remember, for a while the 3rd generation STI was only available as a hatchback.  While most of the world's STI's are powered by the 2.5L "EJ257" motor introduced in the US-spec STI in 2006, the Japanese market STI continues along with the less-torquey, higher-revving 2.0L motor.  For the S206, it's been modified to produce a pretty impressive 320bhp and 318lb-ft of torque.  Changes include an upgraded twin-scroll turbocharger, a specific ECU tune, a free-flowing exhaust and intake system, and a balanced and blueprinted rotating assembly inside the engine.  There's also a large intercooler, and a reinforced silicone turbo inlet pipe for better throttle response.

Since 320bhp is plenty, the suspension receives a lot more attention than the engine does.  There are Bilstein struts at all four corners (inverted in the front) with STI coil springs to make it lower and stiffer.  Upper and lower front braces, an upper rear brace, underbody tie bars, and pillow ball bushed inside lateral links all contribute to a more responsive drive.  The S206 wears a set of 19x8.5" BBS forged aluminum wheels shod with 245/35/ZR19 Michelin Pilot Super Sports tires for more grip.  The brakes are upgraded as well: 6-pot Brembos with 2-piece rotors up front, and 4-pot Brembos with single piece rotors out back.  The S206 gets a tweaked multi-mode stability control system as well.

Inside, a set of Recaros - huge bolsters in Alcantara, bases in leather - hug the occupants.  There are a lot of other small changes - red seatbelts, alcantara door trims and center armrest with silver stitching, a leather-wrapped STI wheel, a leather STI shift knob, a serialized S206 number plaque - and a red "STI" push button start, which is worth 100bhp in my book.  Outside, the S206 gets a few goodies - an aluminum hood, a front splitter, front fender vents, a lip spoiler and some badges.  If you order the optional "Nurburgring Challenge" package, you get a carbon fiber roof, a big carbon rear spoiler, and some black wheels.

The S206 is limited to a total of 300 units (white, blue, black, silver, and red) and it's only for sale in Japan.  So if you want the ultimate factory STI, you're out of luck - but besides the balanced and blueprinted internals, the rest of this wouldn't be hard to recreate - think of it as inspiration!  Gallery below.