GOODBYE STI: Subaru announces high-performance nameplate won't return on new WRX

Subaru has announced the new fifth-generation WRX will not be available in STI guise, marking the first time since 1994 for the flagship grade to be absent from the model's line-up.

In the shock announcement, the manufacturer said the Subaru Tecnica International (STI) division will instead focus on future performance technologies, working on projects such as its E-RA concept which was unveiled at Tokyo Auto Salon with the intention of lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife in under six minutes and 40 seconds.

Having made its debut in 1994 on the GC8 WRX, the STI name has become synonymous with Subaru's high-performance road cars, extending to its racing efforts across rallying and circuit racing which has aided the manufacturer to multiple championships across a variety of disciplines worldwide.

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Subaru's WRX STI offerings from 1994 to 2007

Subaru Australia confirmed the fifth-gen WRX – set to launch in the second quarter of the year – will only be able to adopt the STI name with off-the-shelf performance parts from the brand, with managing director Blair Read saying STI will dedicate its efforts to performance electric vehicles.

"This is a clear statement of the future performance direction of Subaru Corporation and Subaru Tecnica International," said Read.

"The prospect of what the Subaru Tecnica International engineering team can do with an electrified platform ensures an exhilarating future for Subaru fans, and we look forward to sharing with you what STI reveal next."

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Turns out the WRX STI Final Edition really was the final edition

A global statement from the manufacturer hinted at the WRX STI being revived in the future, although taking a departure from its traditional roots with electrification on the cards.

"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)," Subaru said.

"As part of that effort, Subaru Corporation is exploring opportunities for the next generation Subaru WRX STI, including electrification. In the meantime, a next generation internal combustion engine WRX STI will not be produced based upon the new WRX platform."

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STI's e-RA concept car

In December 2020, Subaru Australia surpassed 10,000 local sales of its WRX STI variants – a notable achievement considering mass official imports of STIs only began in 2001 with the 'Bugeye' GD Impreza, as its WRX nameplate reached 50,000 sales just a few months later in 2021.

The WRX STI EJ25 Final Edition was launched last year as a send-off for the three-decade-old EJ boxer engine, with 75 cars offered to Australian customers at a price of $62,440 – a $3000 premium over the existing top-grade STI.

Do you have any WRX STI memories? Let us know in the comments below.