STI has never been just a trim badge or a horsepower number. It is the distilled expression of Subaru’s rally-bred obsession with traction, durability, and driver confidence, forged on loose surfaces where balance matters more than brute force. From the original Impreza WRX STI to the last EJ-powered sedans, STI represented a philosophy: symmetrical all-wheel drive, a turbocharged flat-four with character, and a chassis tuned to thrive when conditions get ugly. That identity is now under pressure as emissions regulations, market shifts, and electrification rewrite the rules of performance.
What makes this moment critical is that STI’s traditional formula can no longer exist unchanged. The EJ engine is gone, the WRX has moved to a more mainstream role, and Subaru has paused production of a full-fat STI entirely. Yet the demand for something raw, mechanical, and purpose-built has not disappeared; if anything, it has intensified as cars become heavier, quieter, and more software-driven. Subaru’s recent gas and EV performance concepts are not nostalgia acts, but test balloons for how much of STI’s soul can survive in a transformed powertrain landscape.
STI as a Philosophy, Not Just an Engine
At its core, STI has always been about usable performance rather than dyno-sheet dominance. Short gearing, active center differentials, torque vectoring, and suspension tuned for compliance over broken pavement defined the driving experience as much as peak output. That’s why STI resonated with rally fans and track-day regulars alike; it rewarded commitment and punished sloppiness, yet remained approachable in real-world conditions. Any future STI, gas or electric, lives or dies by its ability to preserve that relationship between car, surface, and driver.
Subaru’s internal-combustion concepts signal that the company still believes there is value in a visceral, mechanical performance car, even if it must be cleaner and more efficient. Turbocharged engines may shrink in displacement, rely more on hybrid assistance, or prioritize mid-range torque over top-end theatrics, but the intent remains clear. The sound, response, and durability expected of an STI cannot be simulated entirely through software, and Subaru appears acutely aware of that risk.
Electrification Without Erasing the Badge
The EV side of Subaru’s STI previews is where the brand faces its biggest identity test. Electric motors naturally suit all-wheel drive, offering instant torque and precise control at each axle, which aligns perfectly with Subaru’s long-standing traction advantage. The challenge is emotional engagement: weight management, brake feel, thermal consistency, and chassis tuning become the new battlegrounds for authenticity. If an electric STI feels fast but disconnected, the badge loses meaning regardless of lap times.
What these concepts ultimately reveal is that Subaru sees STI as a performance laboratory again, not a discontinued relic. Whether powered by gasoline, electrons, or a blend of both, STI is being repositioned as the standard-bearer for enthusiast credibility in an era where that credibility is increasingly rare. The crossroads is real, but so is the opportunity to redefine what a driver-focused Subaru can be when performance is no longer tied to a single engine layout or fuel source.
From Rally Roots to Road Icons: A Brief Context of STI’s Evolution
To understand why Subaru’s current STI concepts matter, you have to rewind to where the badge earned its authority. Subaru Tecnica International was not created as a marketing exercise; it was a factory motorsports arm built to win rallies. The lessons learned in the forests of the WRC shaped every STI road car that followed, prioritizing traction, durability, and driver confidence over headline-grabbing specs.
Born in the Dirt: STI’s Rally-Driven DNA
The early STI models were homologation tools first and street cars second. Lightweight chassis, turbocharged flat-four engines, and mechanical all-wheel drive systems were engineered to survive brutal rally stages, not coddle commuters. That focus bred a unique feel: steering loaded with feedback, suspensions that absorbed punishment, and powertrains designed to deliver torque reliably rather than delicately.
Those fundamentals became the STI calling card. Driver Controlled Center Differentials, limited-slip hardware front and rear, and gearboxes built to tolerate abuse set STI apart from softer sport compacts. Even at modest horsepower levels by today’s standards, these cars felt alive because every control surface communicated what the tires were doing.
From Homologation Special to Global Performance Icon
As the Impreza WRX STI went global in the 2000s, the mission evolved without abandoning its roots. Engines grew more powerful, brakes larger, and interiors more livable, but the underlying philosophy remained intact. The car still demanded respect, rewarding smooth inputs and punishing ham-fisted driving with understeer or wheelspin.
The EJ-series turbo engines became synonymous with STI, for better and worse. They delivered character and a distinctive sound, but also locked the brand into an aging architecture as emissions, efficiency, and refinement standards tightened. Subaru’s challenge was no longer how to win rallies, but how to preserve a raw driving identity in a rapidly modernizing market.
The Pause That Redefined the Stakes
When Subaru effectively paused the traditional STI sedan, it wasn’t just a product gap; it was an existential moment. Enthusiasts questioned whether STI could survive without a rally-bred, manual-transmission flagship anchoring the lineup. That absence reframed the badge from a known quantity into an open question, making today’s gas and EV concepts far more than simple design studies.
In that context, Subaru’s previews aren’t about nostalgia. They’re about translating decades of rally-derived intuition into new powertrains without diluting what made STI matter in the first place. The evolution from dirt stages to public roads was never about engines alone, and the next phase of STI will be judged by how faithfully it carries that lineage forward, regardless of what’s under the hood.
The Gas-Powered Vision: What Subaru’s Latest ICE-Based STI Concepts Signal
Against the backdrop of electrification, Subaru’s internal-combustion STI concepts land with intent. They aren’t apologetic holdovers or nostalgia plays. Instead, they act as proof points that Subaru still sees value in a mechanically rich, driver-centric performance car even as regulations and market pressures tighten.
What matters most is that these concepts aren’t framed as “last gasps.” Subaru presents them as evolving tools, refined to coexist alongside electrified performance rather than be replaced by it. That framing alone signals a strategic shift in how the brand views STI’s role in the next decade.
A Modern Interpretation of the Turbo Boxer Formula
At the core of Subaru’s gas-powered STI previews is the FA24 turbocharged flat-four, a meaningful departure from the long-running EJ architecture. With increased displacement, improved thermal efficiency, and stronger low-end torque, the FA24 addresses the EJ’s historical weaknesses without abandoning the boxer layout that defines Subaru’s center-of-gravity advantage.
While Subaru has stopped short of publishing final output figures, engineers have openly hinted at STI-specific tuning headroom well beyond the current WRX’s 271 HP. More important than peak numbers is how the power is delivered. A broader torque curve and faster turbo response align with real-world performance rather than dyno-sheet theatrics.
This matters because STI has never been about chasing class-leading horsepower. It has been about usable thrust on corner exit, stability under load, and confidence when the road surface deteriorates. The FA24’s characteristics suggest Subaru understands that distinction.
Chassis and Drivetrain: Where STI Identity Still Lives
Subaru’s ICE-based STI concepts place clear emphasis on hardware beneath the skin. Adjustable dampers, wider tracks, reinforced subframes, and aggressive alignment specs all point to a car engineered for sustained hard driving, not just single-lap heroics. This is a continuation of STI’s long-standing focus on endurance and consistency.
All-wheel drive remains non-negotiable, but the emphasis has shifted toward smarter torque distribution rather than brute mechanical lockup. Subaru’s latest concepts suggest electronically managed center differentials paired with mechanical limited-slip units, blending adaptability with tactile feedback. For experienced drivers, that balance is critical.
Equally telling is Subaru’s continued exploration of driver-selectable modes that meaningfully alter throttle mapping, differential behavior, and damping. When implemented correctly, these systems don’t dilute engagement; they expand the car’s bandwidth. STI’s challenge is ensuring these layers enhance communication rather than mask it.
The Manual Transmission Question Isn’t Avoided
Perhaps the most reassuring signal from Subaru’s gas-powered concepts is that manual transmissions are still part of the conversation. While no promises have been carved in stone, Subaru’s public stance acknowledges that STI’s emotional core is inseparable from driver involvement. A three-pedal layout isn’t a retro affectation here; it’s a functional choice.
That said, Subaru is realistic about market constraints. Future STI variants may offer multiple transmission paths, but the concepts make clear that any automatic alternative would need to deliver genuine performance benefits, not just convenience. Paddle-shifted gearboxes are only acceptable if they enhance control and durability under abuse.
This pragmatic approach reflects a brand trying to preserve authenticity without ignoring reality. STI has always been a tool for drivers who value process as much as outcome.
Emissions, Efficiency, and the Reality of Regulation
Subaru’s ICE concepts also quietly acknowledge the elephant in the room: emissions compliance. Rather than chasing extreme outputs, the focus appears to be on cleaner combustion, improved cooling efficiency, and compatibility with future fuel standards. There’s growing speculation around synthetic fuel readiness and mild hybrid assistance as pathways forward.
What’s notable is that Subaru isn’t pitching these technologies as performance compromises. Instead, they’re framed as enablers that keep internal combustion viable for enthusiasts longer than many competitors expect. This is a defensive strategy, but a smart one.
By engineering flexibility into the platform, Subaru keeps the door open for STI to evolve without abrupt identity shifts. That continuity is crucial for a badge built on trust.
What These Concepts Really Tell Us About STI’s Future
Taken together, Subaru’s gas-powered STI previews signal a brand unwilling to abandon its mechanical soul. They show an understanding that STI’s value lies not in being the fastest on paper, but in feeling purpose-built every time the road turns technical.
In an era where electrification threatens to homogenize performance, Subaru is using ICE concepts to reinforce what makes STI distinct. They serve as a reminder that the brand still prioritizes balance, feedback, and durability over fleeting headline numbers.
Crucially, these concepts don’t exist in isolation. They set a benchmark against which Subaru’s future electric STI offerings will be judged. If the gas-powered vision feels authentic, demanding, and rewarding, it gives the STI badge a stable foundation from which to evolve, rather than reinvent itself under pressure.
Electrifying Performance: Inside Subaru’s STI EV Concepts and e-AWD Strategy
If the ICE concepts establish continuity, Subaru’s STI EV previews are where that legacy gets stress-tested. Rather than chasing outright acceleration numbers, these concepts focus on preserving the feel that defines STI: stability at the limit, predictable breakaway, and confidence when grip is inconsistent. Electrification, in Subaru’s view, is not a reset button. It’s a new set of tools applied to familiar problems.
e-AWD as the Digital Evolution of Subaru Symmetrical AWD
At the core of Subaru’s electric STI thinking is e-AWD, an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system using dual motors rather than a mechanical center differential. Each axle can be managed independently, allowing torque to be apportioned in milliseconds rather than fractions of a second. That responsiveness is critical for maintaining Subaru’s trademark planted feel on loose surfaces and uneven pavement.
Where traditional AWD relies on hardware and friction, e-AWD relies on software and sensors. Yaw rate, steering angle, wheel slip, and throttle input are constantly analyzed to adjust torque distribution. The goal isn’t artificial oversteer or gimmicky drift modes, but repeatable control that mirrors the predictability of Subaru’s rally-bred systems.
Torque Vectoring Without the Artificial Edge
Electric motors allow for precise left-right torque vectoring without the complexity of clutches or brake-based interventions. Subaru’s STI EV concepts lean into this advantage, using motor control to rotate the car naturally into a corner rather than forcing it. The effect is subtle but significant, especially under trail braking and mid-corner throttle application.
This approach aligns with STI’s long-standing philosophy. The car should respond proportionally to driver input, not overwhelm it. By tuning torque delivery progressively, Subaru avoids the on-off sensation that plagues some high-output EVs and keeps the driver actively involved in managing grip.
Chassis Dynamics First, Battery Packaging Second
One of the most telling aspects of Subaru’s electric STI previews is how much emphasis is placed on mass distribution and rigidity. Battery placement is treated as a structural element, lowering the center of gravity while reinforcing the chassis. This mirrors how Subaru historically integrated drivetrains to enhance balance rather than simply accommodate them.
Cooling also plays a central role. Sustained performance, not single-launch theatrics, is the benchmark. Dedicated thermal management for motors and battery packs suggests Subaru is engineering these EVs to survive track sessions and aggressive mountain driving, not just short bursts of speed.
Redefining Engagement in a Quiet Powertrain
The absence of engine noise forces Subaru to rethink how feedback is delivered to the driver. Steering weighting, brake feel, and throttle mapping become even more critical in an electric STI. Rather than relying on synthetic sound to fill the void, the concepts point toward mechanical clarity through the controls themselves.
This is where the EV strategy loops back to the ICE previews. Both are designed around the same principle: the driver should always understand what the car is doing and why. If Subaru can translate that philosophy into its electric STI models, electrification becomes an evolution of the badge, not a dilution of it.
Can Sound, Feel, and Driver Engagement Survive Electrification?
The existential question for STI has never been about straight-line speed. It has always been about sensation. The thrum of a boxer at full load, the way boost builds through a corner, the feedback loop between throttle, chassis, and driver is the brand’s emotional core, and electrification threatens to rewrite that language entirely.
Subaru’s response, based on its STI gas and EV previews, is not to chase nostalgia but to reinterpret it through physics and control. Engagement, in this new framework, is no longer anchored solely to sound pressure or mechanical vibration. It is defined by how clearly the car communicates intent and consequence to the driver.
Sound as Information, Not Theater
For decades, STI sound was functional. The off-beat boxer exhaust wasn’t just character; it was feedback, telling the driver about load, traction, and engine state in real time. Removing that soundtrack risks removing a critical sensory input.
Subaru appears acutely aware of this, which is why its EV concepts avoid heavy-handed synthetic noise. Instead of simulating an engine that no longer exists, STI is exploring subtle acoustic cues tied to motor load and vehicle dynamics, reinforcing what the chassis is doing rather than distracting from it. If done correctly, sound becomes informational again, not performative.
Throttle Feel in a World Without Lag
Internal-combustion STIs built engagement through imperfection. Turbo lag, boost thresholds, and gear selection forced the driver to think ahead and work with the powertrain. EVs erase those delays entirely, which is both their greatest strength and their biggest threat to involvement.
Subaru’s answer lies in torque shaping. Rather than delivering peak output instantly, the electric STI concepts use progressive torque curves mapped to steering angle, yaw rate, and throttle position. The result is an EV that rewards precise inputs instead of overwhelming them, preserving the cause-and-effect relationship that defines driver engagement.
Steering, Brakes, and the Return of Mechanical Trust
As engines fall silent, the burden of communication shifts to the controls the driver touches. Subaru’s STI previews place unusual emphasis on steering rack tuning, brake pedal progression, and chassis feedback, areas where many modern performance cars have lost their edge.
This is not accidental. A well-weighted steering rack and a firm, consistent brake pedal can convey more about grip than any exhaust note ever could. Subaru is effectively betting that trust in the controls can replace reliance on auditory drama, and that is a very STI way to approach the problem.
ICE and EV, United by the Same Philosophy
What ties Subaru’s gas-powered STI concepts to its electric ones is not output figures or drivetrain layout. It is intent. Both are engineered to keep the driver mentally engaged, constantly making small decisions about grip, balance, and momentum.
This suggests STI’s future is not split between old and new, but unified by a core belief. Whether driven by combustion or electrons, an STI must feel alive beneath the driver, responsive without being reckless, and demanding enough to be rewarding. Electrification does not erase that identity, but it does force Subaru to earn it in new ways.
Brand Identity Under Pressure: How Subaru Plans to Keep STI Authentic
The challenge Subaru faces now is not technological, it is philosophical. STI earned its credibility through rally stages, broken pavement, and cars that demanded respect long before they delivered speed. As powertrains diversify, Subaru’s task is to ensure STI remains a discipline, not a trim level.
STI as a Philosophy, Not a Powertrain
What Subaru is signaling with its gas and EV concepts is that STI is no longer defined by cylinders or fuel type. Instead, it is defined by how the car behaves when pushed hard and driven imperfectly. That distinction matters, because it allows STI to evolve without rewriting its own history.
Internal-combustion concepts still emphasize boost management, thermal durability, and drivetrain resilience under sustained load. Electric concepts apply the same mindset through battery cooling, motor response under repeated high-G use, and software calibrated for consistency rather than peak output. The goal is repeatable performance, not momentary spectacle.
Rally DNA in an Electrified Era
Subaru’s rally heritage is not nostalgia, it is a development blueprint. The STI previews borrow heavily from loose-surface thinking: torque vectoring tuned for rotation, suspension travel prioritized over static stiffness, and AWD systems designed to claw for traction rather than simply manage wheelspin. These traits translate cleanly to EVs, where precise torque control at each axle becomes an advantage rather than a compromise.
By leaning into this DNA, Subaru avoids chasing EV benchmarks set by straight-line acceleration or Nürburgring lap times alone. Instead, it frames STI as a car built to be exploited on imperfect roads, in bad weather, by drivers who value control over numbers. That positioning feels authentic because it is exactly how STI built its reputation in the first place.
Protecting the Badge from Dilution
One of the quiet but critical messages in Subaru’s STI previews is restraint. Not every fast Subaru will wear the badge, and not every electrified performance model will qualify as an STI. Subaru appears acutely aware that overextending the name would erode decades of credibility faster than any change in propulsion ever could.
This restraint suggests future STIs will be rarer, more purpose-built, and more clearly differentiated from mainstream performance trims. That approach mirrors the early days of STI, when the badge signified motorsport intent first and marketing value second. In an era where electrification risks homogenizing performance, Subaru is choosing to make STI harder to earn, not easier.
The Enthusiast Contract Going Forward
Ultimately, Subaru’s vision for STI rests on an unspoken agreement with its most loyal drivers. Subaru will continue to build cars that demand skill, patience, and mechanical sympathy, even as the tools change. In return, enthusiasts must judge authenticity by feel and function, not nostalgia alone.
The STI concepts make it clear that electrification is not being used as an excuse to soften the brand. If anything, it is forcing Subaru to articulate what STI has always stood for, and to engineer toward that standard with even greater intent.
Market Reality Check: Enthusiasts, Regulations, and the Business Case for STI
The philosophical groundwork is only half the battle. The other half is reality, and it is far less romantic. Emissions regulations, safety mandates, and global fleet targets now shape performance cars as much as engineers do, and STI is not immune to those constraints.
Subaru’s recent STI previews acknowledge this head-on. They are not promises of unchecked horsepower or defiant rule-breaking, but carefully calibrated statements about how performance survives when the old playbook no longer works.
The Enthusiast Market Is Smaller, Louder, and More Fragmented
Hardcore enthusiasts still matter, but they no longer represent volume. Manual transmissions, track-focused suspensions, and high-strung powertrains appeal to a shrinking slice of buyers, even as their influence on brand identity remains outsized.
Subaru understands this tension better than most. STI has never been a mass-market product, but today it must justify itself not just emotionally, but financially, within a company that sells far more Crosstreks and Outbacks than performance sedans.
Regulations Don’t Just Limit Power, They Redefine It
Global emissions standards make a traditional, high-displacement turbocharged STI engine nearly impossible to scale worldwide. Even modest output gains come with exponential compliance costs, especially for low-volume halo models.
This is where Subaru’s dual-path approach makes sense. Electrification is not being positioned as a replacement for STI’s attitude, but as a tool to preserve performance under regulatory pressure. Instant torque, precise motor control, and software-defined drivetrains allow Subaru to deliver speed and control without fighting emissions limits at every turn.
Why Gas Still Matters to the STI Story
Internal combustion is not being discarded lightly. Subaru knows that sound, throttle response, and mechanical engagement remain core emotional triggers for its most loyal buyers.
The combustion-based STI concepts suggest a future where ICE survives in a more focused, possibly limited, form. Think lower production volumes, tighter margins, and a clearer separation from mainstream models, rather than a return to mass-market performance sedans chasing headline horsepower numbers.
Electrification as a Business Enabler, Not a Brand Reset
From a business standpoint, EV-based STIs may be easier to justify long-term. Shared platforms, scalable motor technology, and regulatory compliance open the door for performance models that would otherwise be impossible to greenlight.
Crucially, Subaru is signaling that STI EVs will not be tuned for drag-strip theatrics. The focus on chassis balance, torque vectoring, and real-world grip aligns with Subaru’s rally-bred identity while also appealing to buyers who value usable performance over spec-sheet dominance.
Can STI Still Be Profitable Without Selling Out?
That is the central question these previews are trying to answer. Subaru is betting that fewer, more authentic STIs can still pull disproportionate brand weight, even if they never lead sales charts.
By redefining STI around feel, control, and all-condition capability rather than raw output, Subaru is carving out a defensible niche. It is a strategy that accepts limits, respects enthusiasts, and treats performance not as a volume play, but as a statement of intent in an increasingly regulated world.
The Road Ahead: Likely Scenarios for the Next-Generation STI Lineup
What Subaru has shown so far suggests a future built on parallel paths rather than a single, all-in bet. STI is being repositioned as a performance philosophy that can exist across powertrains, unified by chassis tuning, all-wheel-drive mastery, and a relentless focus on control. The next-generation lineup is likely to be smaller, more intentional, and more diverse in its engineering than any STI era before it.
A Limited-Run, High-Engagement ICE STI
The most realistic combustion scenario is a low-volume, enthusiast-first STI that prioritizes response and durability over peak output. Expect a heavily revised turbocharged flat-four, potentially paired with electrified auxiliaries rather than full hybridization, aimed at improving transient response and emissions compliance without diluting character.
This would not be a car chasing 500 HP headlines. Instead, think mid-300s horsepower, a reinforced drivetrain, mechanical differentials, and aggressive cooling designed for repeated hard use. It would exist as a statement piece, priced accordingly, and sold to buyers who value feel and feedback over outright speed.
The Emergence of a True STI EV Performance Line
On the electric side, STI’s future looks broader and more scalable. Dual- or tri-motor layouts with software-controlled torque vectoring allow Subaru to recreate, and in some cases surpass, the dynamic adjustability of mechanical AWD systems. This is where STI’s rally heritage translates most directly into the EV era.
These STI EVs are unlikely to be stripped-out track toys. Instead, they will emphasize grip on imperfect roads, stability at speed, and consistency in all weather conditions. Battery placement and motor control give Subaru new tools to fine-tune yaw response and corner exit behavior in ways combustion cars simply cannot match.
Hybridization as a Transitional Performance Tool
A full hybrid STI is the wildcard. Subaru could leverage electric assist not for efficiency headlines, but to fill torque gaps and sharpen throttle response. A small motor integrated into the drivetrain could enhance launch and corner exit while keeping the core driving experience mechanical and engaging.
This approach would allow STI to survive in markets with tightening emissions rules while preserving a familiar driving rhythm. It would also serve as a technical bridge, easing loyalists toward electrification without demanding an overnight shift in mindset.
STI as a Sub-Brand, Not a Single Model
Perhaps the most important shift is philosophical. STI is no longer being framed as one flagship car, but as a tuning and engineering division that can touch multiple platforms. That opens the door for different expressions of performance, each tailored to its powertrain’s strengths.
In this model, an STI badge earns its place through chassis calibration, drivetrain sophistication, and real-world performance validation, not just output numbers. It is a return to STI’s roots as an engineering-led identity, adapted for a future where the definition of performance is expanding rather than shrinking.
Final Verdict: Will the Future STI Still Be an STI?
The answer depends on how you define STI. If your definition begins and ends with a turbo flat-four, a six-speed manual, and a blue sedan with gold wheels, then no future iteration will ever feel exactly the same. But that version of STI was always a product of its era, shaped as much by regulation and technology as by rally stages and engineering intent.
STI’s Identity Was Never About One Powertrain
At its core, STI has always been about control at the limit. It was about how power was deployed, how the chassis talked back, and how confidently the car could be driven on broken pavement at speed. The flat-four and manual gearbox were tools, not the mission itself.
What Subaru is signaling now is a return to that deeper philosophy. Whether the power comes from gasoline, electrons, or both, the focus is still on AWD mastery, predictable handling, and repeatable performance in conditions where lesser cars fall apart.
Why Electrification Doesn’t Automatically Dilute STI
For purists, the fear is that electrification turns STI into a badge-and-body-kit exercise. The technical reality suggests the opposite. Electric drivetrains give Subaru unprecedented control over torque delivery, yaw moments, and traction management, which are the exact ingredients STI has spent decades refining mechanically.
An STI EV that can actively distribute torque across axles and individual wheels, adjust responses in milliseconds, and remain composed on low-grip surfaces is not a betrayal of the badge. In many ways, it is the most literal evolution of Subaru’s rally-bred philosophy.
The Emotional Gap Is Subaru’s Biggest Challenge
Where Subaru must tread carefully is emotion. Sound, mechanical interaction, and driver workload matter deeply to STI loyalists. This is where combustion and hybrid STIs still have critical roles to play, serving as emotional anchors while electrified models establish new performance benchmarks.
If Subaru can tune steering, braking, and throttle response with the same obsessive detail it once applied to differentials and boost control, the emotional connection can survive the transition. Engagement is not exclusive to internal combustion, but it must be deliberately engineered.
The Bottom Line for Enthusiasts
STI is not dying, it is being redefined. Subaru’s previews suggest a future where STI stands for performance engineering across multiple platforms, each judged by how well it delivers control, confidence, and speed in the real world. That is a more demanding standard than nostalgia, and arguably a more honest one.
For enthusiasts willing to judge the car by how it drives rather than how it’s powered, the future of STI looks credible, ambitious, and technically fascinating. The badge will still mean something, just not the same thing it did in 2004, and that may be exactly what it needs to survive.
