2021 Subaru WRX STI

Subaru recently announced the unfortunate halt of the WRX STI, releasing a short statement regarding the performance variant’s future.

The statement made it clear that the WRX STI as a whole is, at least for now, not dead; however, it was stated that “a next generation internal combustion engine (ICE) WRX STI will not be produced based upon the new WRX platform.” While this does not completely dash any hopes of an ICE-powered WRX STI, current trends in the automotive industry and statements from Subaru hint at an electric model in the future.

In fact, the same release pinpointed Subaru’s continued electrification efforts.

“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),” the release said. “As part of that effort, Subaru Corporation is exploring opportunities for the next generation Subaru WRX STI, including electrification.”


 

Subaru went on to confer that the WRX STI and STI brand itself represent the “zenith of Subaru’s performance vehicles exemplifying Subaru’s unique DNA and rally heritage.” With everything from the release put together, it seems heavily plausible that the next WRX STI will, at the very least, feature some form of electrification if not becoming a full electric vehicle.

The WRX STI has been one of the brand’s hallmarks for decades, starting with its 1994 introduction as a Japanese market exclusive. America would not see the WRX STI until 2004, launching with approximately 300 horsepower in a second-gen body (first-gen models, by the way, are now importable to the states). Since its stateside launch, the STI (or STi for the first two years) namesake has adorned the most elite of WRXs, and it’s a shame to see it go so unceremoniously.

The future of the WRX STI is currently unknown, but we’ll be sure to fill you in on MotorWeek.