Subaru introduces all-electric Impreza WRX STI at Tokyo motor show
Subaru has unveiled its Performance E-STI (Subaru Technica International) concept at the first press day of the 2025 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo.
Subaru describes the vehicle as representing “the future of the performance scene, spearheading Subaru’s new generation.” Technical details were scant, but the Performance E-STI promises a “driver friendly layout and a comfortable, spacious interior.”
The car doesn’t appear to be based on any existing Subaru model, but its iconic World Rally Blue finish, gold wheels, and pink STI detailing all nod to “the brand’s heritage.” As Subaru seeks to establish itself as a serious player on the EV landscape, this colour scheme will invoke fond memories of the Japanese brand’s title-winning Impreza rally car from the 1990s and 2000s.
In-keeping with its rally credentials, the Performance E-STI will come with an all-wheel drive system, a feature synonymous with Subaru’s off-road credentials and rugged nature. It is, however, unclear whether it will adopt the 375bhp, dual-motor system from the upcoming Subaru E-Outback wagon.
Inadvertently, Subaru also exposed how far behind other markets Japan’s EV landscape is by showing a Japanese market prototype of its Trailseeker EV.
Following the Solterra, the Trailseeker is Subaru’s second electric model and has already been revealed in production variants for the United States and Europe. The jacked-up estate car will be known as the E-Outback in Europe and the UK, and will be on sale here by mid-2026.
As well as the E-Outback, Subaru annouced in July this year that its new Uncharted SUV coupé and a heavily-revised version of the Solterra will hit the UK market at around the same time.
Until now, Subaru has also sought to pivot away from its history and successes in the World Rally Championship to re-position itself as more of a lifestyle brand.
As well as the Performance E-STI, Tokyo saw Subaru reveal an internal combustion-engined STI model – another hint that high-performance Subarus could very much once again be a thing of the future. At present, its most powerful car is the Impreza WRX, which is not sold in the UK.
The 2025 Tokyo motor show – officially known as the Tokyo Mobility Show – will be open to the public from October 31 until November 09.
