Yahoo Autos The New Subaru WRX Won't Be Getting an STI Version
Whenever Subaru releases a new WRX, we expect its higher-performing sibling, the much-loved WRX STI, to follow closely behind. And with the introduction of the 2022 WRX last year, we assumed we'd also get an STI by the end of 2022. Well, that won't be the case according to Subaru.
The company released a statement today confirming there will be no STI version of the latest-generation WRX. From the release:
As the automotive marketplace continues to move towards electrification, Subaru is focused on how our future sports and performance cars should evolve to meet the needs of the changing marketplace and the regulations and requirements for greenhouse gasses (GHG), zero emissions vehicles (ZEV), and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ).
As part of that effort, Subaru Corporation is exploring opportunities for the next generation Subaru WRX STI, including electrification. In the meantime, a next generation internal combustion engine WRX STI will not be produced based upon the new WRX platform.
A Subaru spokesperson also told Road & Track in an email that if and when a new STI does show up, it won't be based on this current generation's car. It's unclear how long it might take for the new car to show up, but since the new WRX hasn't even hit showrooms yet, years would be a safe bet. The spokesperson also said noted that "Electrification can mean hybrid or electric."
So while we will be seeing a new STI sometime in the future, it'll likely have some sort of electrified powertrain. We're not entirely surprised to hear this considering the widespread shift to electrification for brands across the board. But that doesn't mean we're not sad. We're sure fans of the car's legendary boxer-four, the highlight of every STI-badged car since the sub-brand's inception 30-plus years ago, aren't happy to hear this either.
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