The STI brand isn’t dead. But, expect electrification moving forward.
Subaru made a statement last week. The turbocharged, all wheel-drive WRX has been a landmark in rallytastic performance. It was available for nearly 30 years. Everyone expected the new generation of WRX to be followed. Now we know is and is .
Subaru’s March 11 announcement did not give any reason for the STI’s demise. The company stated only that it was looking into electrification options for its next-gen STI. The new WRX platform will not be used to produce a next-generation internal combustion engine WRX STI. A report by Road & Track provides some context to this decision. Dominick Infante, Subaru Corporate Communications Director, stated that regulations are constantly changing and that a new STI would only have a short shelf life. According to the report, this wouldn’t make any sense.
This simple answer is in line with the larger message of electrification Subaru communicated in its STI announcement. The current-generation WRX was introduced in September 2021. It features a turbocharged 2.4 liter engine that produces 271 horsepower (202 kilowatts). This engine is not hybrid assisted. A STI model with greater power was expected to follow. In fact, Subaru presented a S4 STI Performance conceptearly in the Tokyo Auto Salon. Rumours suggested a new STI could be capable of producing 350 hp (261 kW). was not confirmed. However, none of these rumors included electrification.
It is not clear if a new combustion engine-powered STI was in development before the announcement. Motor1.com asked Subaru for comment, but they did not respond. Subaru does not rule out a future WRX STI. STI is an alternative to the WRX but it looks like the future will be electric. In Tokyo, Subaru also showed a Solterra STI Concept. The most notable was the 1,073 horsepower (800 kW) STI ERA concept which Subaru described as a near-future STI motorsport research.
Those who hoped for one more gas-powered STI fling may be disappointed. The WRX STI will most likely be electrified or at least partially electrified if it returns.