Electric Subaru STI Revealed In Japan. Is It More Than a Concept?

October 29, 2025 Andrew Beckford

Subaru fans started pleading for a new STi model no less than five seconds after the badge was discontinued in 2021. Half-measures like the WRX TR and BRZ tS models have only exacerbated that. For the most part Subaru has remained mum on future STi plans though it has suggested that a future model could be electrified. Revealed at the Japan Mobility Show, the Performance-E STi concept gives a preview of what that future could look like.

As shocking—no pun intended—as this reveal is, Subaru is remaining mostly silent on what this concept means for the future of the badge and the performance it represents. The automaker volunteered no actual or theoretical figures or facts about the Peformance-E STi concept other than it is a battery-powered vehicle. Horsepower, battery capacity, range, and charging speed are all big fat question marks. That goes the same for driving dynamic facts such as weight, suspension package, and brakes.

All we have to go on is its exterior design and Subaru stating that this concept “represents the future of the performance scene.” At first glance, the Performance-E STi certainly has futurstic—and aggressive—styling. It’s blend of sleek lines and hard edges with wild LED lighting makes the car look like something that belongs in an F-ZERO game (shout out to Mute City).

Though, if you let your eyes linger for a while you’ll start to see the references and homages to STis of old. First of all the concept is sprayed in a version of Subaru’s “World Rally Blue” exterior color which is accented by bronze wheels. The blue and bronze color combination has been a staple of STI vehicles since the 90s. The concept’s hatchback silhouette is seemingly a throwback to the 2021 model which left this world much too soon.

Subaru declined to showoff the concept’s interior, but we would bet a few bucks there is a pair of Recaro seats adorned with matching blue alcantera and STI red stitching residing in the cabin. Though, that’s just speculation on our part; which is honestly all we can do at the moment with the Performance-E STi concept.

Does is it mean the next STi model will definitely be an EV? Do Subaru fans even want an electric STi? Who knows? What’s more interesting is that this wasn’t the only STi concept revealed in Japan, stay tuned to learn more about the Performance-B STi concept.