Subaru is teasing a new electric hot hatch with the launch of its Performance-E STI concept, signaling a next-generation approach for the brand’s STI lineup.
The Japanese automaker ended production of the gas-powered WRX STI in March 2022, citing stricter emissions regulations and a transition toward electrification. At the time, Subaru noted it was exploring possibilities for a next-generation STI, including an electrified version, but confirmed it would not be built on the new WRX platform.
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The newly revealed Performance-E STI offers a glimpse of Subaru’s design direction for its electric performance models. The concept features slim, three-line LED lights and a sportier roofline compared with previous ICE versions. Subaru described the vehicle as having “a design that evokes the brand’s heritage while providing a driver-friendly layout and a comfortable, spacious interior,” adding that it will include new technology aimed at delivering “intuitive, exhilarating driving experiences.”
The automaker plans to showcase the Performance-E STI at the Japan Mobility Show later this month. Subaru President Atsushi Osaki is scheduled to present at the company’s booth on October 29 at 12:30 PM JST. The display will include two new STI models, the Trailseeker EV, and prototype versions of the Forester Wilderness and Outback Wilderness, alongside a 1982 Subaru GL Family Huckster.
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Subaru joins a growing group of automakers, including Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Kia, that are planning electric hot hatch models as part of the broader shift to electrified performance vehicles.
