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Is an Electric Subaru WRX STI on the Horizon?

Subaru’s WRX STI is a legend—but is its future electric? We explore the possibilities, concept cars, and fan reactions to a potential EV rebirth of this rally icon

Paul Doherty

Is an Electric Subaru WRX STI on the Horizon?

an Electric Subaru WRX concept EV Car

TL;DR – Key Takeaways

Subaru has retired the traditional WRX STI, but electrified performance remains a key focus for future models.
The STI E-RA Concept shows Subaru is testing high-performance EVs with serious capability.
An electric STI could revive the badge—if it respects the original’s soul, spirit, and sense of connection.

A Future Without the STI? Not Likely.

When Subaru confirmed there would be no next-gen WRX STI in 2022, the performance world went into collective mourning. No sixth-gen STI. No glorious manual gearbox or turbocharged boxer soundtrack. It felt like the end of an era.

But something didn’t sit right. Subaru has never been a brand to walk away from its loyalist fanbase, and the WRX STI has been its halo model for over two decades. So when they quietly mentioned a new focus on “electrified performance,” the question wasn't if the STI would return—but how. In an automotive landscape shifting toward EVs, is an electric WRX STI actually on the horizon? The answer, while still wrapped in speculation, is slowly taking shape—and it might surprise you.

an Electric Subaru WRX concept car

The STI E-RA Concept: A Glimpse Into Subaru’s Electric Mindset

If you haven’t seen it yet, look up the STI E-RA Concept.

Unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, this electric supercar prototype wasn’t just a design study—it was Subaru’s declaration of intent. The STI E-RA packs four electric motors, 1,073 horsepower, and torque vectoring technology that makes even modern hypercars sweat. It’s not street-legal. It’s not production-bound. But it proves one thing: Subaru is already building the foundations for an electric STI. While it may not wear the familiar WRX shape, the E-RA’s focus on lap times, balance, and AWD precision pays tribute to the same DNA that made the original STI a legend. It’s not hard to imagine a future where that tech is scaled down and injected into a production car.

The STI E-RA concept article goes deep into how this tech might translate to a future road-going model.

What Would an Electric STI Look Like?

Let’s set the scene.

Picture a dual-motor AWD setup, torque vectoring on each axle, and a low-mounted battery pack giving perfect weight distribution. The body is sculpted for function—active aero, wide haunches, signature hood scoop (even if symbolic), and a sharp, driver-focused interior.

No gearbox. No lag. Just instant torque, laser-precise control, and blistering acceleration.

But here’s the trick: for an electric STI to succeed, it can’t just be quick. It has to be engaging. That means simulated rev matching, configurable torque split, maybe even a “manual mode” that lets drivers feel connected. Subaru would need to blend tradition with innovation.

You’ll find a vision of this balance in Modified Car Magazine: Subaru Edition—Stance Auto’s first-ever Subaru-specific print issue, launched under our new Modified Car Magazine brand. It’s a milestone that celebrates everything the STI was—and what it could become.

The Tuner Question: Can EVs Capture the STI Spirit?

One of the most beloved things about the STI was how modifiable it was. Swap the turbo. Tune the ECU. Upgrade the intercooler. Add antilag. The STI was more than a car—it was a platform for expression.

So how does that translate to electric?

That’s the hardest challenge Subaru faces. An electric STI needs to feel tinkerable. Customizable. Sharable. It can’t be a sealed, corporate box of speed. It has to live, evolve, and become part of car culture. Imagine tunable regen maps, swappable battery modules, or an app-based torque-bias editor. If Subaru leans into that ethos, the community will follow. Just like they did with builds like Jamie’s 2007 Hawkeye STI and Andrew’s 2003 Blobeye STI, where each bolt-on part tells a story.

an Electric Subaru WRX concept car

EVs in Motorsport: Can They Carry the STI Banner?

Subaru’s roots are in rally. That’s where the STI badge was born—in the mud, snow, and gravel of Group A competition. So can electric cars ever carry that torch?

In some ways, yes.

EVs offer insane launch control. They can drift, grip, and react in milliseconds. With proper development, an electric rally car could redefine what “control” even means. The STI E-RA is Subaru’s test bed for that future. And motorsport is evolving too. Rallycross already features electric entries. Time attack series are opening EV classes. The performance world isn’t dying—it’s transforming. And when Subaru enters that world again with a real STI badge on the front—that will be the full-circle moment.

Why the STI Name Still Matters

Ask any Subaru fan: the WRX is fine—but the STI? That’s sacred ground.

It was never just about more power. The STI was sharper, more focused, and more connected. It was Subaru’s statement—that they could build a car for people who loved driving more than tech specs or touchscreen menus.

To slap that badge on an electric car would be risky—unless it earns it.

But given how carefully Subaru has guarded the STI name, it seems they know what’s at stake. And that’s a good thing.

In The 90’s JDM Classics – June 2025, we reflect on how these badges—STI, Type R, GT-R—carry more than letters. They carry decades of emotion.

Conclusion: The Horizon Isn’t Just Electric—It’s Inevitable

So, is an electric WRX STI on the horizon?

All signs point to yes—eventually. Subaru is taking its time, likely to ensure that what comes next deserves to wear the name. The STI E-RA proves the capability is there, and the market is slowly warming to performance EVs.

The real question is: can it keep the soul?

If Subaru nails that balance—performance, driver engagement, and modifiability—the electric STI won’t be the end of an era. It’ll be the start of a new one. And when it comes, rest assured that Modified Car Magazine will be there to cover it first—just like we did with our historic first issue:
Modified Car Magazine: Subaru Edition – by Stance Auto Magazine.
The first-ever print magazine dedicated to Subaru under our new brand. A landmark moment for the brand, and for every Subaru fan worldwide.

Author Bio:
Paul Doherty is the founder and editor of Stance Auto Magazine, passionate about connecting drivers with their perfect cars. From car reviews to deep dives into automotive news, Paul leads a team dedicated to bringing the culture of stance and community builds to a global audience.

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Paul Doherty Author, Editor, C.E.O, Born in Manchester and one of six brothers, Paul Doherty grew up in a family where a love for cars was second nature, following in his mechanic father's footsteps. With a lifelong passion for car modifications, he spent years selling cars and vans while balancing a career as a retail manager and later owning a chain of furniture shops. As a single dad to three, Paul’s dedication led him to create Stance Auto Magazine to celebrate grassroots car builders. The magazine, one of the last printed for modified cars, is devoted to showcasing everyday builders who create their projects from scratch, often in humble home garages. Driven by passion more than profit, Paul’s work allows car enthusiasts to see their dreams featured in a magazine that puts people, not money, first.