Subaru has confirmed that its iconic STI performance division is still very much alive, even if familiar nameplates like the WRX STI have disappeared from showrooms.

While no new STI models have been officially announced, the company has made it clear the badge will return — potentially in electrified form. With tightening global emissions standards and the industry-wide shift toward hybrid and fully electric powertrains, a purely turbocharged combustion-only STI now seems unlikely.

Instead, the next chapter could see Subaru blending electric assistance or full EV technology with its trademark symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. Instant torque delivery, advanced torque vectoring and performance-focused software tuning may define the new STI formula, replacing the old-school emphasis on boost pressure and manual gearboxes.

Subaru has already stepped into the EV space with the Subaru Solterra, developed in partnership with Toyota. While the Solterra is not an STI model, it signals the brand’s broader commitment to electrification and lays the groundwork for future high-performance applications.

For now, Subaru is keeping timelines and specific models under wraps. But the message is clear: STI isn’t dead — it’s adapting to a new performance era.