New Hope for Fans
The last true Subaru WRX STI left the stage in 2021, leaving a significant gap in the brand’s sports lineup. Since then, fans of Subaru Tecnica International have lived in hope of something new. According to company officials, this hope is not in vain. The high-performance division “is not dead,” and it seems active work is boiling behind closed doors.
Over the past few years, Japanese buyers have had to make do with STI Sport versions for the WRX, Levorg, and Forester models. These cars are undoubtedly good. But the real “headline grabbers” were the two STI concepts presented at the 2025 Tokyo Motor Show.
Scott Lawrence, General Manager of Subaru Australia, commented on these concepts and the overall direction of the STI sub-brand’s development: “There has been significant feedback. The pace of public news and activity from STI is increasing. It has the loudest supporters in the Subaru camp, let’s put it that way. As these concepts have proven, a lot of work is being done in this direction – STI is not dead.”
Market Research
Subaru is using its latest STI concepts to gauge enthusiast appetite and, more importantly, to justify the creation of the next “halo car.” The fully electric Performance-E STI is unlike anything in the current lineup. At the same time, the gasoline-powered Performance-B STI is essentially a heavily reworked Impreza hatchback with serious sports toughening.
Initially, Subaru hinted that it would be the fans who would help decide which concept goes into series production. However, this democratic spirit seems to have its limits. The electric car looks like the favorite. According to reports, Subaru has confirmed that the Performance-B will remain a concept, while carefully avoiding specifics regarding the future of the Performance-E.
New Speed Leader
While we await the return of a true STI, the Trailseeker, an electric alternative to the Outback, has become the fastest car in the showroom. Not quite the plot twist purists were hoping for. Its dual-motor powertrain produces a combined 375 hp, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, although during tests this crossover-wagon showed even better results.
If you still prefer performance in sedan form, the hottest on the market right now are last year’s limited-run S210 and the current WRX STI Sport#. The latter debuted earlier this year with a six-speed manual transmission, electronically controlled STI dampers developed by ZF, Brembo brakes with gold calipers, and 271 hp from the standard 2.4-liter boxer engine.
The Path to the Future
Subaru is clearly trying different paths to what awaits the STI sub-brand next. Hybrid, fully electric powertrain, or something in between – this question is still unresolved. However, the emblem itself seems less up for debate. It will remain, even if the boxer engine eventually disappears.
The message from Subaru makes it clear that the legendary sub-brand is not about to give up its positions, despite the global transformation of the automotive industry. The company is actively seeking a new identity for its sports models in the era of electromobility, trying to maintain a connection with its loyal fans. The success of this transition will depend on whether STI can convey the same emotions and drive as it once did, using new technologies. It is telling that the brand’s fastest car has already become an electric wagon, signaling inevitable shifts in priorities for both the manufacturer and buyers.