Subaru has just dropped a major hint: the next chapter for the iconic STI nameplate might come in two distinct forms – one electric and one gasoline. In a news release ahead of its 2025 Japan Mobility Show (JMS) exhibit, Subaru confirms it will unveil two new STI concepts under its “Performance” theme. Dubbed the Performance-E STI Concept and the Performance-B STI Concept, these hint at the brand’s bold move to reignite the STI fire it once had.
The Performance-E STI Concept is a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) built to carry forward Subaru’s performance DNA into the electrification era. The automaker described it as combining thrilling proportions and high aerodynamic performance while evoking its STI heritage. It aims to balance real-world usability and a driving experience that motivates through advanced technologies and an inviting cabin.
On the flip side, the Subaru Performance-B STI Concept is based on the internal combustion engine (ICE) architecture. Here, Subaru leans on its roots – turbocharged boxer engines, symmetrical all-wheel drive, and a strong emphasis on performance and utility. It’s positioned as a nod to the brand’s current strengths, while also exploring how those qualities might evolve in the foreseeable future.
With these two concepts, Subaru is making it clear that the STI name won’t be retiring anytime soon. Instead, it will move forward into the new era of electrification and more sustainable means of mobility. Subaru aims to broaden the STI badge to cover both the “old guard” petrol performance world and the new frontier of electrified driving.
For enthusiasts who have long associated STI with high-revving boxer-engine performance and rally-racing prowess, the Performance-B offers reassurance that Subaru still values the STI’s driving purity, which made it legendary. At the same time, the Performance-E signal’s Subaru’s serious intention to bring that spirit into tomorrow’s mobility landscape.
Given the global shift towards electrification, many performance brands are being forced to rethink how they will evolve in the electrified era. Subaru’s dual approach allows it to retain brand loyalty among enthusiasts while also embracing early EV adoption.
