Might this be the sign that an electrified STI I car is on the way?
Subaru did not launch a new STI when the latest WRX was introduced.
This could be it, the real reason why Subaru omitted an STI version of the current-generation WRX which was introduced two years ago. Well, Subaru’s explanation just over a year ago was that changing regulations made it difficult to produce a new STI, so they wouldn’t. But they will and it’ll be an STe.
This outcome was predictable, in a few ways. The WRX is the current sole bastion of performance for a brand that was once synonymous with driving really fast sideways through gravel, mud, snow, or all three. And while the WRX is an impressive sport compact car, it’s not quite on the same level as the Civic Type R, Golf R, or GR Corolla. As noted by Road and Track, how will STe fix that?
Will it be a hybrid? A plug-in hybrid? An EV? While Subaru does offer these alternatives today, none are sporty in any way. That said, it wouldn’t take much, we think, to graft PHEV hardware onto the 2.4T for the WRX STe. As we know, the 2.4T is in all midsize Subies (Legacy, Outback, Ascent) and all could benefit from the tech and create an economy of scale for the automaker. To us, this path makes more sense than an all-electric STe, though we might be wrong.
