Subaru Japan announced a limited edition run of the WRX STI EJ20 Final edition which marks the end of this legendary 2.0L flat-four engine.
The EJ20 engine is officially dead. According to Subaru Japan they’ve announced a limited edition run of their 2020 Subaru WRX STI EJ20 Final Edition, whose prototype will debut at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show later this October.
Here’s the direct to English translation from their press release below.
“EJ20 has been supporting SUBARU’s running identity for 30 years since its birth in 1989. Subaru will end production of the horizontally opposed engine EJ20 , one of SUBARU’s leading sports engines, and will close orders for the current WRX STI for the domestic market equipped with EJ20 at the end of December 2019.“
“With overwhelming power potential, the EJ20 × WRX STI has contributed greatly to motor sports, including the World Rally Championship (WRC) and the Nürburgring 24-hour race. We will deliver a special specification car <EJ20 Final Edition> with a hot heartbeat suitable for decorating the finale.”
From the photos shared by Subaru, EJ20 Final editions will have special engine plaques, gold alloy wheels, LED Daytime running lights by the corner air intakes and pink grill highlights.
It’s not sure if Subaru will give these engines a power bump with an ECU tweak or exhaust tuning but I’d like to see Subaru engineers give this engine a final parting gift with more HP and torque.
The Subaru EJ20 engine first made an appearance, as mentioned, back in 1989 with the NA Subaru Legacy. That engine only put out 123 HP at the crank.
JDM WRX STI’s used the EJ20 engine since 1998 until today thanks to rally homologation rules keeping engine size to 2.0L and under. Also, larger engines are taxed agressivly in Japan.
Although EJ20 engines are technically smaller than their American counterparts with EJ25 engines, with 304 HP and 311 lb-ft, they are the more sophisticated and powerful engine.
No word how many WRX STI EJ20 final editions Subaru will make but it’ll only be a handful at an exorbitant price.
Subaru is not killing off its WRX lineup including the STI. The WRX returns in 2020 with a new engine yet to be revealed.
So, Subaru fans. Pour one out for the EJ20.
