The world has been missing a little pink power even since Subaru models ceased to sport that iconic rosé shaded STI emblem on its rear back in 2021. However, the boxer-powered marque has previewed the future of its performance models with two concepts at the Japanese Mobility Show 2025, the Performance-B and Performance-E STI concepts.
As can be easily deduced from the name, one will be sporting a combustion engine while the other will be electrically motivated – though it’s probably the Performance-B STI that most Subaru diehards are most looking forward to.
Because the model shown here on the show floor will pretty much herald the next WRX STI, that will be based on the new hatchback sixth-generation Impreza. Yes, that means the new STI will also be a hatch, the first since the GR-generation model that blew onto the scene in the late Ken Block’s Gymkhana Two video.
Of course, the concept has cranked up the exterior aggression to the max. The fenders have been stretched and vented to house the 18-inch BBS RI-A wheels, wrapped in track-ready Bridgestone Potenza RE71RS rubbers.
Interestingly, WRX headlights have been grafted onto the front as a nod to its performance roots. There is a large splitter for aero to go along with it.
At the rear, a goalpost-style rear wing is mandatory, and the exhausts sit in the diffuser. The interior is off limits but you can just about make out a manual gear lever by peeking through the window, refreshing news given that the limited WRX STI S210 only had a CVT.
From the looks of things, the Subaru Performance-B STI concept appears almost production-ready and is primed to be offered as the next generation of the WRX STI. It should roll out with a proper manual transmission as well, though we suspect a CVT would be available alongside.
GALLERY
