2022 Subaru WRX STI Performance, electric STI concepts to debut next month

Subaru will preview its performance future next month, with the reveal of new concepts powered by petrol and electricity.

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Subaru will use next month’s Tokyo Auto Salon to reveal a range of new concept cars – including a preview of the upcoming 2022 Subaru WRX STI road car, and another hinting at a future STI model powered by batteries.

Leading the Tokyo line-up will be the STI E-RA Concept, a show car that Subaru says forms part of a new project “aim of gaining experience and practice in new technologies in the world of motorsport which is making its way toward a carbon neutral era” – in other words, what a future STI race car (or eventual production car) could look like.

A teaser image previews the concept’s styling, which blends Subaru’s traditional C-shaped lighting signature with sharp surfaces, wide wheel arches and distinctive bonnet vents befitting of the ‘RA’ designation (or Record Attempt, a badge fitted to historic Subarus directly inspired by or used for racing).

The STI E-RA will be shown alongside the WRX S4 STI Performance, a concept which showcases a range of STI Performance Parts available for the new-generation WRX, including ‘cherry red’ side skirts and splitters, a carbon-fibre rear wing and a performance muffler.

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Despite including ‘WRX’ and ‘STI’ in its name, it’s not clear whether this is in fact a thinly-veiled preview of the production WRX STI, set for unveiling next year.

While some past STI models have differentiated themselves from their WRX donors solely through a tall rear wing and new wheels – just like the Tokyo-bound STI Performance concept previewed here – the Subaru Viziv Performance STI concept of 2018 hints at more extensive upgrades for the new WRX STI, imagined in Drive’s exclusive renderings here.

Also set to be revealed are STI Performance concept versions of the Levorg wagon (or WRX Sportswagon in Australia) and BRZ coupe. No images have been released, though Subaru says both will feature cherry red-accented parts – with the Levorg adding a performance muffler and other “special items”.

The Subaru BRZ GT300 race car will also be on show.

The 2022 Subaru WRX STI Performance and STI E-RA concepts will be revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon, set to open its doors to media on January 14. Stay tuned to Drive for all the latest updates.

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