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Subaru Executive Says WRX STI Might Return If Enough Fans Ask For It

Subaru’s product general manager asked customers for feedback on combustion and battery-electric STI concepts, but did not promise a production successor. Subaru later announced a 600-unit WRX STI Sport♯ offering for Japan; that does not confirm a full-generation STI for the U.S.
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Subaru product general manager Masaaki Kobayashi invited customers to comment on two STI concepts, one with an internal-combustion powertrain and one battery-electric. That was a request for feedback, not a promise to build a new WRX STI. Subaru later announced a limited WRX STI Sport♯ for Japan, but that does not establish a full-generation STI for the U.S. market.

What the Subaru executive said

Car and Driver reported on December 5, 2025, that Kobayashi told Australian outlet Drive Subaru wanted to hear what customers thought after the company showed the two concepts. He said: “This is the first time we [have] shown it to the public, so maybe we want to know what the customers think, maybe we get the feedback from the customers, then we will think.”

The comments describe a possible next step in considering the concepts, not a production decision. They do not confirm a launch date, a U.S. model, or which powertrain—if either—would reach production.

STI concepts and the Japan-market Sport♯

Subaru announced two STI concept models for the Japan Mobility Show in October 2025. In January 2026, it unveiled the WRX STI Sport♯, which Subaru described as a Japanese model. In April, Subaru announced the complete car as a limited offering and opened a dealer lottery application window in Japan.

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#1 Best Overall
Subaru Rear STi Badge Trunk Emblem for 2015-2018 Impreza WRX STi - 93079VA040 - Genuine OEM
  • Genuine OEM
  • Rear STi Badge Trunk Emblem - 93079VA040
  • 2015-2018 Impreza WRX STi
Vehicle or announcement Status Market and powertrain
Two STI concepts Concepts unveiled; not a production announcement Subaru showed one internal-combustion concept and one battery-electric concept. The cited announcement concerns Japan.
WRX STI Sport♯ Limited complete car; Subaru announced an allocation of 600 units Japan. Subaru describes a turbocharged horizontally opposed engine, symmetrical AWD, and a six-speed manual.
Full-generation U.S. WRX STI No production successor established by the cited announcements U.S. availability and a successor powertrain are unconfirmed.

The 600-unit allocation is from Subaru Tecnica International’s April 2026 announcement. It is an announced product allocation, not a measure of customer demand or market size.

What this means for a U.S. STI return

The concepts show that Subaru was exploring STI-branded directions, and the Sport♯ is meaningful STI activity. But the Sport♯ is a Japan-market limited car, not evidence that Subaru has announced a new full-generation WRX STI for U.S. customers. The available announcements do not settle whether Subaru will build such a car.

Rank #2
Subaru 2015-2016 WRX STi Black Fender Badge Emblem Set Limited Pair - 91123VA140 & 91123VA150 - Genuine OEM
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Car and Driver’s January 2026 analysis preceded the Sport♯ unveiling and cautioned against reading the earlier teaser as confirmation of a revived U.S. STI. The later Japan-market announcement clarifies what Subaru did unveil, but it does not establish a U.S. successor.

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FAQ

Will the Subaru WRX STI return?

Subaru has not established a full-generation successor in the announcements covered here. Kobayashi asked for customer feedback on two concepts; that is not a production commitment.

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Rank #3
Subaru STi Front Grill Emblem Badge Impreza WRX 2008 2009 2010 Genuine OEM JDM
  • Genuine STI Grille emblem
  • 93013FG010
  • Comes with mounting hardware
  • 2008-2010 Impreza STI
  • may will fit others please research

Is Subaru bringing the WRX STI back to the U.S.?

The cited announcements do not confirm a full-generation U.S.-market WRX STI. Subaru described the WRX STI Sport♯ as a Japanese model and announced its limited offering in Japan.

What powertrains did Subaru show in the STI concepts?

Subaru showed one internal-combustion concept and one battery-electric concept. The feedback request did not announce which, if either, would become a production vehicle.

Rank #4
Subaru 2015-2021 WRX Black Fender Badge Emblem Pair Limited Set STi Genuine OEM
  • WRX STI Fenders Badge Set
  • Genuine Subaru Part Number: RH Garnish Badge 91123VA160
  • Genuine Subaru Part Number: LH Garnish Badge 91123VA170
  • Wrx STi 2015-2021
  • Will also fit 2015-2021 STI models, but badge does have WRX on it.

How many WRX STI Sport♯ cars did Subaru announce?

Subaru Tecnica International announced a 600-unit allocation for Japan. Its April 2026 release said lottery applications were accepted at Subaru dealerships in Japan from April 9 through May 17, 2026.

Quick Recap

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