Subaru performance models to return and this time, they're electric
- Subaru is one of the most well-respected brands in motorsport
- It’s legendary for its success in the World Rally Championship (WRC)
- Now, the STI marque might be back – and it could be all-electric
Published on Apr 17, 2025 at 4:29 PM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Apr 17, 2025 at 4:29 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Subaru has hinted at a revival of its performance models.
The Japanese marque is responsible for some of the best rally-inspired cars ever built.
And today might well see fans of those cars rejoicing everywhere.
Because the latest reports suggest that Subaru Tecnica International (STI) might be cooking once again.
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Subaru enters World Rally Championship
As a car brand, Subaru itself is extremely well-known and well-respected.
However, the iconic brand is also very well known and beloved for motorsport.
More specifically, Subaru is best known for its efforts in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
For 18 years, Subaru dominated the world of extreme, four-wheeled motorsport.
Despite being involved on-and-off during the 1980s, it wasn’t until 1990 that history was made.
Subaru Tecnica International (STI), is Subaru’s motorsports division.
It partnered with Prodrive, a British motorsport firm, to enter Subaru Legacy RS in WRC.
Its first two seasons saw Subaru achieve some successes – but only entered half of the races in 1992.
Colin McRae leads the brand to immortality
1993 saw Subaru debut its iconic blue-and-yellow, State Express 555 liveried car.
It also saw the first full season of WRC action for the now iconic, sadly deceased Colin McRae.
This year saw more history, with the legendary Impreza WRC, which replaced the Legacy RS.
The Prodrive-developed car came with a turbocharged, 2.0 liter, flat-four engine.
Its EJ20 engine was heavily modified, ultimately producing around 300bhp.
1995 would see incredible success, with McRae winning the Drivers’ Championship that year.
It would also see the marque win the first of its three consecutive Constructors’ titles.
Englishman Richard Burns would win the Drivers’ Championship in 2001.
Norwegian driver Petter Solberg would win the last ever Subaru-powered Drivers’ title in 2003.
Sadly, due to the Financial Crisis of 2008, Subaru would bow out of WRC.
Could the STI marque…be coming back?
It appears that the Japanese giant might finally be reverting to performance models again.
In recent years, Subaru has switched its focus to the SUV market, but, it appears that this might well be about to change.
At the New York Auto Show, the brand’s Europe boss made some exciting comments.
David Dello Stritto was quoted as saying that, “there’s a fourth pillar I’ve been missing to sell in Europe”.
And that pillar is the brand’s most iconic of them all – performance.
Subaru is also working on developing its electric platform.
“Let’s face it, it’s nice to have that prospect of a future WRC STI – super-fast, gold wheels, blue colour. This is what we want, at the end of the day.”
In case you’re wondering – yes, we are beyond excited at hearing this.
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Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.
