Every time Subaru released a new version of its famed WRX STi, nostalgia for the previous generation cars grew stronger. Enthusiasts mocked the happy-looking Bugeye when it was released in 2002, but it became a classic once it was replaced in 2008 by the new widebody STI, the GR chassis, which was decried as too big and heavy.
Gosh, what Subie enthusiasts wouldn’t do for a modern hot hatch from the company today.
Subaru killed off it’s hatchback WRX STi a decade ago with the introduction of its VA chassis. When the latest WRX was released in 2022, the public was underwhelmed with the VB model; un-inspired styling and excessive black plastic cladding. But Subaru’s biggest sin was dropping their top-tier STi model from the lineup.
During the Japan Mobility Show this week, there was a gimmer of hope as Subaru displayed two new STI-badged cars. While one was purely a concept car, the other gave enthusiasts hope for the return of WRX STi.
Called the Performance-B STI the show car started life as a base-model Impreza. The suspension has been lowered, and wide wheels have been fitted. To cover all that sticky Bridgestone rubber, and the ugly plastic cladding, large over-fenders have been fitted that distinctly resemble the old widebody WRX STi. The massive WRC-inspired rear wing give the car street-cred with a nod to its rally roots. The car looks production-ready because if follows Subaru’s original formula of taking their cheapest commuter car and turning it into a hot rod.
Subaru’s failure to offer a WRX STi allowed competitors to steal their customers. Cars like the Honda Civic Type R, Toyota GR Corolla and Volkswagen Golf R all follow the old recipe for the WRX STi. Take an inexpensive hatchback, add all-wheel-drive, turbocharged power, a stick-shift, lowered suspension, and aero appendages. Could the company that originated this formula finally give enthusiasts what they crave, or stick to their story that an electric STi is coming soon?
Hopefully, this concept car will help point Subaru in the right direction.
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