At the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, Subaru unveiled two STI-badged concept cars that previewed the future of its performance cars. However, one of them looks more production-ready than the other. The Performance-E STI Concept resembles a futuristic all-electric hot hatch, complete with a split roof spoiler. Its sleek silhouette and four-door coupe-like shape hint that this car is far from production-ready. It also pays homage to its past with gold alloy wheels. Additionally, the Performance-E STI concept hints at the brand’s future design direction, especially with its thin headlights and taillights.
Moving to something closer to production, the Performance-B STI Concept gives us a glimpse at a modern take on the legendary WRX STI. Just take a look at it. Subaru took an Impreza hatchback and transformed it into the WRX STI hatchback that the performance car world sorely misses. It even comes with widened fenders, black side skirts, and a giant rally cross-style wing in the back!
Up front, the Performance-B STI Concept has the trademark hood scoop flanked by smaller vents. Meanwhile, the front fascia now has a wider grille and more openings to help cool the engine. Inside, you find red and black bucket seats peeking out, hinting at this car’s performance intentions.
Despite being concept cars, both the Performance-E STI and Performance-B STI give us a glimpse of what’s next. If we were to make an educated guess, the latter previews a potential hatchback variant for the WRX, which we’ve not seen since 2014. Should it arrive, expect it to join the lineup as part of the upcoming refresh for Subaru’s legendary rally-inspired sport compact. It will likely share the same 2.4-liter turbo-four paired to a six-speed manual or the Subaru Performance Transmission (aka CVT). Subaru may also give the refreshed WRX more power.
Source: Subaru
