New Subaru WRX STI plans axed, but could return with electric power
The inbound Subaru WRX will be the first in nearly 30 years not to offer an STI version – and any revival of the nameplate would need to ditch the turbo flat-four for full electric power.
The new 2022 Subaru WRX performance sedan will not receive a high-performance STI version – but with Subaru Tecnica International division shifting focus to electric cars, the nameplate could return with electric power.
In a shock announcement this morning, Subaru has confirmed “there will be no STI variant for the new generation Subaru WRX” – leaving the standard WRX and its 202kW/350Nm engine as the most powerful version of the rally legend the company will build.
Rumours out of Japan suggested the new WRX STI would be revealed sometime this year, with a tuned 250kW to 300kW version of the WRX’s new 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder to take the fight to the Mercedes-AMG A45 hyper hatch.
While the new ‘second-generation’ WRX will not gain an STI variant – the first Impreza or WRX generation in 25 years not to – Subaru has not ruled out the return of the WRX STI nameplate at a later date, once this soon-to-launch model meets its end towards the end of the decade.
However, any future WRX STI – if the name ever does return – would need to switch to hybrid or electric power, as Subaru Tecnica International (STI) confirms it will shift its focus to “future performance technologies”, including electrification.
In a statement released to US media, the company says: “As the automotive marketplace continues to move towards electrification, Subaru is focused on how our future sports and performance cars should evolve to meet the needs of the changing marketplace and the regulations and requirements for greenhouse gasses (GHG), zero emissions vehicles (ZEV), and Corporate Average Fuel Economy [US emissions regulations].
“As part of that effort, Subaru Corporation is exploring opportunities for the next generation Subaru WRX STI, including electrification.
“In the meantime, a next generation internal combustion engine WRX STI will not be produced based upon the new WRX platform.”
The company revealed the STI E-RA Concept earlier this year, an electric race car with four electric motors, a 60kWh battery, a combined output of 800kW, and a targeted Nurburgring lap time
of six minutes and 40 seconds, on par with the fastest Porsche and Lamborghini road cars.“This is a clear statement of the future performance direction of Subaru Corporation and Subaru Tecnica International,” Subaru Australia managing director Blair Read said in a statement.
“The prospect of what the Subaru Tecnica International engineering team can do with an electrified platform ensures an exhilarating future for Subaru fans, and we look forward to sharing with you what STI reveal next.”
The first Subaru WRX STI launched in 1994, and has passed through four model generations – with well over 10,000 cars sold in Australia since its launch.
While Subaru will not offer a new WRX STI for the immediate future, Subaru Australia says it will offer “STI inspired performance and styling parts, special limited edition vehicle offerings”.
The brand currently offers a catalogue of STI Performance Parts for models such as the BRZ coupe and Impreza hatch, which consist of bolt-on front and rear under-spoilers, side skirts, a short-throw manual shifter kits, roof spoilers, new gear selector knobs, alloy wheels, and under-bonnet strut braces.
Similar parts are available for the new WRX sedan overseas – but they don’t add any additional engine performance, meaning (for the immediate future) the standard WRX and its 202kW/350Nm (or 375Nm in Japan) turbo engine will be the most potent version of its rally icon Subaru will make.
Sedan and wagon versions of the new Subaru WRX will launch in Australia by the end of June 2022. Subaru Australia says it will reveal details of the new model “soon” – click here for details on how the new model range will be structured.
The Subaru WRX STI is not the first top-tier small performance car to fall victim to the electric car onslaught, as in 2018 plans were scrapped for a new Ford Focus RS hyper hatch, with Ford citing high development costs (and low sales volume) for the hybrid system needed to meet stringent European emissions regulations.
Meanwhile, the Renault Megane RS will not receive another generation with an internal-combustion engine – while the future of the Hyundai i30 N is uncertain, amid unsubstantiated rumours there may not be a next-generation i30 hatch.
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