2022 Subaru WRX STI Performance revealed alongside STI E-RA

UPDATE, January 14, 2022: Subaru has taken the covers off multiple vehicles at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon, from its WRX STI preview to the STI E-RA concept.

The WRX S4 STI Performance hints at what the next-generation flagship variant of its WRX sedan will look like, having recently moved to the fifth-generation WRX platform last year. It will be the first time an STI-grade WRX has been powered by anything other than Subaru's EJ engine since the model's inception in 1994.

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While the WRX is a continuation of Subaru's past, the STI E-RA is a look into the manufacturer's future, making use of four electric motors (one on each axle) to produce up to 800kW – or roughly one WRX's worth of power to every wheel.

Powered by a 60kWh battery pack, Subaru's ultimate aim is for the STI E-RA (or Electric Record Attempt) to take on the Nürburgring Nordschleife course, targeting a lap time of six minutes and 40 seconds around the fabled course.

Although it's been made as a one-off concept for now, Subaru noted the systems within the STI E-RA could lend it to be homologated for motorsports purposes in the future, potentially dropping into the Japanese Super GT category if it ever goes all-electric.

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The story to here

December 24, 2021: The 2022 Subaru WRX STI Performance has been previewed ahead of its debut as a concept car at the Tokyo Auto Salon next month, alongside an all-electric performance car.

Subaru announced it would show the WRX S4 STI Performance Concept with the STI E-RA Concept – an electric vehicle which is expected to be some kind of racing prototype from the engineers at Subaru Tecnica International.

While it’s worth noting the ‘STI Performance’ package isn’t the high-performance WRX STI we’ve been waiting for, but rather a styling package combined with a sports exhaust, it does give us our best look at what we can expect when the full-fat WRX STI is officially unveiled next year.

More details of the battery-powered STI E-RA Concept will also be revealed in the coming weeks, but the vehicle will likely form the direction of Subaru’s future electric performance models, with technology trickling down from its motorsport campaigns.

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Above: Subaru WRX S4 STI Performance concept to debut at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon.

“STI is showcasing the STI E-RA CONCEPT developed in a new project launched with an aim of gaining experience and practice in new technologies in the world of motorsport which is making its way toward a carbon neutral era,” the company said.

Also set to debut is a Subaru WRX STI Performance wagon – badged as the Levorg in its native Japan – and a BRZ STI Performance. Like the WRX, the two models will gain styling updates and minor modifications from the STI Performance catalogue.

The Tokyo Auto Salon opens on January 14, 2022. Stay tuned to MOTOR on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest news.