SUBARU

Subaru WRX STI Sport# Prototype

Subaru has revealed another concept of its sports sedan at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon.

While this may look like a production-ready WRX STI, Subaru is officially calling it the WRX STI Sport# Prototype.

Fans might be disappointed, though. Following a series of teasers that hinted at a new Impreza STI, Subaru has somewhat dampened spirits by exhibiting this rather underwhelming prototype at the Tokyo Auto Salon. 

Subaru killed off the WRX here in the UK way back in 2017, but the rally-bred sports saloon has lived on in other markets into its sixth generation, which arrived in 2023.  Subaru hasn’t revealed much technical information about the new WRX STI Sport# Prototype, but we do know it uses the same turbocharged 2.4-litre boxer engine as the existing WRX, with around 270bhp. Power, naturally for a Subaru, is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed transmission.

The WRX STI Sport# Prototype comes with the same wide bodykit, aggressive bumpers, quad-tip exhaust system and lip spoiler as the regular car, but there are extended skirts all around in red. It also features 19-inch wheels with gold Brembo brakes and Recaro bucket seats inside. 

It’s not quite the STI revival that Subaru fans had hoped for, especially when the range-topping variant has always typically offered more power, a more focused chassis and distinctive visual tweaks. 

Wilder Subaru concepts were on display at the Japan Mobility Show in October last year. The Performance-B STI concept that’s based on the current model looked worthy of the badge, while the all-electric Performance-E STI caught our attention with the brand claiming it “represents the future of the Performance Scene”.

Details are scarce, but Motor1 reports that the prototype is powered by the same 2.4-liter boxer engine found in the current WRX. That unit produces 271 hp and 350 Nm of torque in the standard WRX, but it's possible that this prototype has a bit more power.

Subaru says the WRX STI Sport# Prototype comes with a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive.

The wheels are 18 and 19 inches, with 245/40R18 and 245/35R19 tires, and the car is equipped with electronically controlled shock absorbers, Brembo brakes, a spoiler on the trunk that combines sophisticated sports style with aerodynamic performance, red details, as well as Recaro sports seats. The company did not provide any details beyond that, but its website says "Coming soon."

Autonews