Subaru pauses the WRX STI
Big news in the world of sporty compacts: Subaru just confirmed she’s dropping the declination ITS of the WRX. At least, for the current generation of the model. The manufacturer says instead that it wants to focus on the electrification of its vehicles.
Since its arrival on our market in 2004, the Subaru WRX STI has become a must in the world of sporty compacts. After forging a solid reputation on the rally courses against its main competitor, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, the sporty Subaru found itself at the center of a war of supercharged compacts in the early 2000s, which it dominated with its imposing 300 horsepower.
Over the years, the WRX STI has continued to evolve, while marrying the manufacturer’s efficient full-time all-wheel drive system with the performance of a sports car, all presented in the form of a sedan (or five hatchback doors) comfortable and versatile. Even after the Lancer Evolution was withdrawn from our market in 2016, the WRX STI has endured to this day, pitting itself against new, more modern competitors like the Volkswagen Golf R and Honda Civic Type R. The WRX STI is an icon of Japanese sports cars born in the 1990s.
His departure therefore comes with a touch of sadness. Sure, it’s true that purists will be able to make do with the regular WRX for a few more years, but this decision clearly illustrates how the automotive industry is changing at breakneck speed.
From Subaru Canada: “As the automotive market continues to evolve towards electrification, Subaru is focused on how our future sports and performance cars should evolve to meet the needs of the changing market. »
“As part of this effort, Subaru is exploring opportunities for the next generation Subaru WRX STI, including electrification. In the meantime, a next-generation combustion-engined WRX STI will not be produced based on the new WRX platform. – could we read in a press release.
This decision by Subaru would be dictated by a desire to perpetuate the brand’s evolution towards electrification. The manufacturer seems to support the fact that increasingly strict regulations have forced this decision. We point the finger at greenhouse gases, the need for zero-emission vehicles and of course the national “CAFE” (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards imposed by the US government. This perspective makes some sense considering that the STi was the most gas-guzzling vehicle in the Subaru lineup with fuel economy ratings of 14.3L/100km city, 10.8L/100km highway and a combined average of 12. 7 litres/100km. To this must be added the emissions of 297 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
Will we ever see an electric WRX STI appear? The idea is not impossible. After all, Subaru unveiled the STI E-RA concept at the Tokyo Motor Show last December. Who knows what the future holds!
