If there’s one thing we want from Subaru, is more (real) STI-branded automobiles.
The Japanese car manufacturer’s high-performance superstar is – for quite some time now – the WRX STI (also known as the Impreza WRX STI in some markets). Granted, the STI division has tuned and tweaked quite a lot of various Subaru models in its fairly brief existence, but only focused its undivided expertize on the aforementioned model.
Still, after creating a motoring cult around the iconic product, the only thing left for Subaru is to expand its high-performance line-up, as Yoshio Hirakawa – Subaru STI boss – stated in an interview with Motoring that he wants more standalone models, aftermarket parts and differentiation between STI products:
“My dream is to make STI a truly global brand. To do this we need more cars, more models. We will launch two new models per year.”
That’s a big leap from the current offering (which contains one model), and it could include a STI-branded Legacy (Liberty in Australia) and a BRZ, which could arrive as early as 2016 in some markets – according to the Australian magazine’s report. The BRZ beckons for a proper turbocharged STI version since its launch, but such a performance package was impossible due to crash test incompatibilities.
Still, Yoshio Hirakawa hinted that his team was working on a potential “advanced technology” that could make the BRZ STI production-compliant, such as an electrically-powered turbocharger – which is considered “one option to overcome these challenges”, as he revealed:
“This is a sensitive subject. But it is under study for the STI model.”
Whatever the future holds for Subaru’s STI-division, one thing is certain; Subaru Tecnica International will continue building balanced, high-performance cars, as Hirakawa pointed out:
“We must not be only power, but also quality; feel on the road. Better sound. Better ride”
Subaru BRZ STI Concept pictured
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