Good news today as the Subaru WRX STI Performance-B concept shown at last year’s Tokyo Mobility Show could be headed for production, as patent images surface in Japan (published on March 10).
Appearing ostensibly faithful to the concept, a very large and functional rear wing, flared wheel arches with air vanes and more aggressive lower air dam and side skirts appear to have made it in the transition to production – if these images point to a production version. The hatch form factor also presages an alternative body style for the WRX range at large; currently restricted to sedan and wagon (nee Levorg).
A very aggressive rear valance encompassing twin central exhaust outlets looks to have made it as well, with a larger grille and bonnet scoop blackout making things a bit spicier at the front. What could that larger grille be feeding?
Considering the last STI used an EJ25 which is no longer in production, that is probably off the table. When it commited seppuku in 2021, it made 221kW and 407Nm, good for 0-100km/h in the mid 4.0s and a low 13-second quarter mile. Considering the 202kW/350Nm WRX has come up in power since then, the ante will need to be upped.
Rumours persist of a highly tuned version of the FA24, developing around 260kW, with some even speculating around the 298kW mark. Torque might even nudge 500Nm, which would drag 0-100km/h times into the low fours with a quarter mile in the 12s. Best of all, we can expect a six-speed manual and the old STI’s DCCD torque apportioning dial for driver controlled torque bias.
With Subaru’s notorious history of teasing us then launching something very mediocre, we have to temper our enthusiasm with this one, even if the signs are there. All going well, we should see something official before too long, maybe third quarter of the year.
