Subaru is renewing its performance wing these days. After the BRZ coupe in 2021, it’s now the turn of the turbocharged sedans to get complete makeovers. The new 2022 WRX has already been shown with its black plastic wheel arches and “utility” sedan vibe, and it’s clear that the STI version will soon be shown to model enthusiasts.
But Subaru must also prepare for its electric future, as the automaker already unveiled its first-ever electron-powered vehicle, the non-identical twin of the Toyota bZ4X, the Subaru Solterra, earlier this fall. But what about the performance side? It seems that Subaru already has the answer, as a picture of a future concept has just been unveiled on the web.
Subaru intends to unveil the STI E-RA prototype – at the Tokyo Auto Show in January – which is a “styling study for a motorsport vehicle for the carbon-neutral era”. If you take the time to read that statement again, this concept car may be limited to closed circuits around the globe.
On the other hand, it’s not impossible that the brand’s performance models will pick up some of the styling cues from this prototype, which will be dressed up with those “C” shaped headlights at the front, while that “STI” badge in the middle is an unusual position on a Subaru production model.
Subaru isn’t saying much more at this time, the presentation at the performance show that should tell a little more about the electrified future of Subaru performance. Oh yes, and for those purists who still run on gasoline, Subaru will also be unveiling three other STI reworked versions: a WRX S4 (a version reserved for the Japanese market), a Levorg and the BRZ coupe. As for the latter, it will be interesting to see if the Canadian wing will be tempted to add some of these “STI” modifications to the Canadian coupe lineup.
We’ll see in a few months.
