Subaru's wild Performance‑E STI concept is an electric rally car that has left a lot to the imagination
Published on Nov 02, 2025 at 10:09 AM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Oct 30, 2025 at 4:36 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Subaru’s Performance‑E STI concept is officially an electric rally car.
And Subaru is leaving a lot to the imagination, providing very limited technical detail about the Performance-E STI.
But it hasn’t stopped Subaru’s imagination from running absolutely wild.
With speculation rampant, this is what we know so far.
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What to expect with the Performance‑E STI
Subaru’s Performance-E STI concept is a very real tribute to the brand’s legendary motorsports history.
The first (and most interesting) thing to note is that this EV is very clearly a trial balloon.
Details on offer were scant about the Performance-E’s actual performance.
All Subaru’s giving us is that it’s a battery-powered car.
There is speculation it will have at least two electric motors at the front and the rear.
Talking of the front and back – the design is really quite something to behold.
The general proportions are as impressive as they are visually striking.
Despite the paint job looking a little rushed, we love the old-school WRC shade of blue.
The front end features an aggressive lower front air splitter and dam.
It is framed up by aggressive headlights and some massive air ducts.
The gold alloys are, to put it simply, very, very gold.
Interestingly, the rear continues the aggressive design and philosophy.
Two rear winglets frame each end of the top of the rear deck.
So, Subaru’s Performance‑E STI trial concept is officially here.
Could an all-electric, WRX-STI car actually be in the offing for the future?
We certainly hope so.
Subaru’s rallying lineage is unmatched
Subaru’s history of pursuing performance is as long as it is impressive.
The WRX-STI nameplate is one that comes with a lot of heavy-hitting lineage.
In case you’re too young to remember, Subaru’s legacy in the World Rally Championship (WRC) is almost without parallel.
The Japanese brand had enjoyed an on-and-off involvement in motorsport since the 1980s.
But it wasn’t until 1990 that a four-wheeled legacy would be born.
Subaru Tecnica International (STI), was Subaru’s motorsports division.
The division partnered with Prodrive, a British motorsport firm, to enter the Subaru Legacy RS in WRC.
This partnership saw some early success; but it only entered half of all WRC races in 1992.
1993 was the year that things really changed for Subaru’s motorsport division, when it saw the introduction of the legendary Impreza WRX.
1993 was also the first full season of WRC action for the iconic, now sadly deceased Colin McRae.
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 saw McRae win the Drivers’ Championship, securing incredible success.
Englishman Richard Burns would win the Drivers’ Championship in 2001.
Sadly, in part due to the Financial Crisis of 2008, Subaru would bow out of WRC.
But the WRX-STI nameplate remains as beloved and iconic as ever.
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.
