Subaru has presented two STI concepts at the Tokyo motor show this week, with an electric hatchback that points to a big shakeup for Subaru’s performance division.
Subaru has used the Tokyo motor show to reveal what a future all-electric STI hot hatch could look like.
Subaru showed a revitalised STI performance division in Tokyo this week, with the electric Performance-E STI concept shown alongside a petrol-powered STI hot-hatch.
Unlike its four-cylinder sibling, which adapts an Impreza hatch body with STI styling cues, the Performance-E STI adopts a new, much cleaner look for Subaru’s high-performance arm.
As is so often the case with Tokyo debuts, Subaru presented the concept as a styling exercise, and hasn't revealed power outputs or performance stats for the new model.
The only confirmed details are that the Performance-E STI is fully-electric, and not a hybrid of any kind, and that it features all-wheel drive.
The sleek five-door hatch features narrow, swept-back LED headlights and a closed-off upper bumper with no grille.
It evolves the look of Subaru’s Solterra and Uncharted EV models, with an even sharper face that then gives way to large brake cooling ducts at the sides, and a vented bonnet that pays homage to STI’s intercooler intakes, this time as an aero aid, rather than a cooling intake.
The smooth bodysides retain a version of the blistered guards from Subaru’s rallying past, but again, in a smoother and more aero-compliant form.
At the rear, the Performance-E STI has an on-trend full-width light bar and SUBARU wordmark in place of the brand’s constellation badge.
What looks like a towering rear wing from the sides is actually a pair of winglets, each with a small upper surface but no full-width connection, hinting at an aero effect without the range-sapping drag of a traditional spoiler.
Subaru’s more traditional STI design elements, like pink highlights on the front and rear body kit, and gold rims (this time in a multi-piece design over black spokes), also make an appearance.
The interior was also kept under wraps at Tokyo, with Subaru suggesting an interior that will be comfortable and spacious – not something traditional performance hatches can lay claim to.
While Subaru dropped no hints about a production future for the Performance-E STI concept, the model appears to be a few steps away from a viable production car, and potentially points to styling that may appear on future Subaru models, rather than a complete new model
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
