by Patent Drawings in Japan Ignite Rumors of Subaru STI Hatchback’s Return
After Subaru tested a new racing hatchback, patent drawings appeared online, further fueling speculation about a potential production version of a true STI. This discovery has become another link in an intriguing chain of hints pointing to the revival of the legendary model.
Concept Car Captured in Patents
Patent documents filed with the Japan Patent Office depict a Subaru hatchback with wide bodywork, WRX headlights, a new grille, and prominent aerodynamic elements. The car looks almost identical to the Performance-B STI concept presented at the Japan Mobility Show 2025.
A detailed review reveals only minor differences, including the absence of additional ventilation holes on either side of the characteristic hood scoop and the lack of exhaust outlets at the rear.
As sources report, the documents were filed on September 29, 2025, a month before the show car’s debut on October 30. This timing, combined with the visual similarity, suggests that the drawings depict precisely the Subaru Performance-B STI concept, not the rumored 2027 production model.
Why Are Rumors Gaining Traction?
While the existence of these patents is likely due to legal reasons, the timing of their discovery has caught enthusiasts’ attention. The Subaru HiPerfX2 racing hatchback, essentially the sporting counterpart to the Performance-B STI concept, is set to compete in the Japanese Super Taikyu series, where it will also serve as a moving laboratory for development.
This race car combines a number of components from the WRX STI sedan, clothed in a wide hatchback body inspired by the Impreza. Under the hood lies a modified version of the 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine producing 359 horsepower, paired with a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive.
The Logic Behind a WRX STI Hatchback Return
Rumors of a WRX STI hatchback returning in 2027 make more sense when looking at the gaps forming in Subaru’s current lineup. The company has confirmed it will stop taking orders for the WRX sedan in Japan, along with the Levorg and Layback wagons, leaving a noticeable gap to fill.
Another telling move was the removal of the STI Sport trim from the WRX lineup. This might not be just a reduction of options, but a clearing of the stage for something more exciting bearing the STI badge.
What’s Next for Subaru and STI?
The question of whether all this points to a routine model update or a deeper generational reboot that will finally return the STI badge to a hot hatch remains open. Subaru’s practice of protecting concept car designs with patents is standard, as seen with the simultaneously registered electric Performance-E STI concept. However, the emergence of a racing version and strategic changes in the model lineup give enthusiasts real grounds for hope. Subaru STI’s history has always been closely tied to racing, so using the HiPerfX2 as a laboratory to test technologies in harsh conditions could be the best indicator of the company’s future decisions regarding production cars.
