At the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, Subaru debuted the WRX STI S210, marking the end of a four-year STI drought. However, the other shoe fell quite quickly as the STI-faithful noted the lack of a manual transmission option. The S210 was stuck with just a CVT, leaving some potential customers disappointed.
Some may say that the WRX STI is still dead, but Subaru may be presenting two possibilities for its revival. The Performance-B and -E STI concepts will be displayed at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show next week, and while the details are scarce, they sound promising.
First, the Performance-B STI concept (pictured above) will incorporate an internal-combustion, horizontally-opposed engine with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system to deliver a classic driving experience. The Japanese carmaker also described this model as one that “expands the range of options that deliver the Subaru difference.” In this case, more options could be a new body for the WRX STI, and maybe even a manual version.
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While the Performance-B STI concept looks similar to the existing WRX, the Performance-E has a sharper and sportier silhouette—like a meaner BRZ. It departs from the heritage-based focus of the previous concept, as it intends to utilize a fully electric powertrain. Subaru also mentioned that it will pack “innovative technologies,” but the specifics have not been disclosed.
In recent times, headlines surrounding the WRX STI have been all about bodykits and rumors, with no tangible promises of performance upgrades. While concepts usually stay concepts, it looks like Subaru has taken an introspective approach to these models. And hopefully, something loud, fast, and fun comes out of them.
