More Power Coming to the Subaru WRX STI for 2019?

The popularity of the Subaru WRX and its larger-displacement STI sibling rival that of free vape coils and Monster energy drinks at a Millennial blogging event. Despite its growing age, owners and would-be buyers seem content with Subaru’s driver-focused all-wheel-drive sedan. There’s plenty of goodwill with this crowd.

As the previous-generation Impreza-based model awaits a new platform and body, it looks like buyers of the 2019 WRX STI stand to gain something that was available only in very limited numbers for 2018. More power.

Not a lot, mind you, but five ponies nonetheless.

A 2019 model year VIN decoder document sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by North American Subaru shows a power increase for the turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer four. The document, dated April 11th, shows the mill’s output at 310 horsepower — a 5 hp increase from previous models. (The turbo 2.0-liter boxer engine found in the WRX remains at 268 hp.)

The 2019 STI’s output is the same as the limited edition STI Type RA, a vehicle announced on April 2nd to mark the 30th anniversary of motorsports subsidiary and performance shop Subaru Tecnica International (STI). Only 500 Type RAs were allocated to the U.S. for the 2018 model year.

Besides pricey features like a carbon fiber roof, Bilstein shocks, and a modified multi-mode vehicle dynamics control system (VDS), the Type RA benefitted from a high-flow exhaust, larger intake, and retuned engine control unit (ECU) for slightly greater top-end oomph. Torque remained the same at 290 lb-ft, however.

Subaru didn’t immediately respond to our query; we’ll update this post when we hear back.

(Update: In an email to TTAC, Dominick Infante, product communications manager for Subaru of America, said it’s “too early for us to comment” on the matter.)

[Image: Subaru]