- Subaru revealed two STI concepts, one gas and one electric.
- It is is seeking feedback to decide which STI to produce.
- A final decision hinges on cost, demand, and carbon goals.
Subaru isn’t quite ready to commit to either gas or electric for its performance lineup, so for now, it’s testing the waters with both. In late October, the company unveiled two sharply styled STI design studies, one battery-powered, the other running a combustion engine, each representing a different path for its performance division.
Despite going to the trouble and expense of designing these two new models, Subaru hasn’t decided which to build. Instead, it’s inviting customers to weigh in before making the call.
Read: Subaru STI Can’t Decide If It Wants Gas Or Electric, So It Built Both
The two concepts, known as the Subaru Performance-E STI and Subaru Performance-B STI, explore what a future STI could look like depending on which drivetrain Subaru decides to back.
Of the pair, the electric Performance-E STI Concept made the stronger visual impression, riding on a completely bespoke platform unrelated to any current Subaru model. But it’s the internal-combustion Performance-B hatch that has lit up forums and fan circles even though it’s based on the existing model.
Subaru Performance-E STI Concept
During a recent conversation with Australia’s Drive, Subaru Corporation’s Product General Manager, Masaaki Kobayashi, emphasized that the goal is to offer “choice.”
“[This is] the reason we showcased [two concepts] one as an ICE [internal combustion engine] and one as a BEV [battery electric vehicle],” Kobayashi explained.
“Of course we are developing BEVs to achieve carbon neutrality, but on the other side, [there is] the customer who chooses this car [Performance-B], so we want to make the option [available] to the customer, so that’s why we made an ICE car with an engine [as well],” he added.
Kobayashi also made clear that public reaction will shape what comes next.
Subaru Performance-B Concept
“This is the first time we [have] shown it to the public, so maybe we want to know what the customers think, maybe we get the feedback from the customers then we will think [about production versions],” he added.
According to Kobayashi, Subaru is still working on the business cases for one of the two models. Presumably, developing and building the Performance-B would be cheaper, given that it’s based around an existing model, unlike the Performance-E.
Subaru could also easily adapt one of its current Boxer engines for the Performance-B without much trouble for a new WRX STI. In contrast, launching a fully electric STI would require sourcing a bespoke high-output battery and motor system, possibly from an outside supplier.
Either path has its merits, and Subaru seems genuinely open to where the interest lies. So, if it were up to you, which STI of the two (gas or EV) would you want to see on the road? Cast your vote in the poll below and let us know where you stand.