Subaru is cooking up something intriguing. Our spies have sent us a fresh batch of photos showing a WRX with American plates, testing with some choice upgrades that suggest it could be a special performance-oriented trim.
At first glance, the prototype looks like any other latest-generation Subaru WRX, albeit with the front and rear badges covered in tape. However, upon closer inspection, our spies noticed that even the car’s big red brake calipers are partially covered in tape.
Despite the lack of any other camouflage on the prototype, the taped-over red calipers, paired with the distinctive wheels and slotted discs, strongly suggest that this model will be performance-oriented. Notably, Subaru has placed the “STi” name on calipers before, adding further fuel to speculation that this WRX may have some serious upgrades.
Read: This Is Why There Won’t Be A New Subaru WRX STI
Before we get too excited , we should remind you that Subaru explicitly stated that the second-generation of the car (since it became a standalone model) will not get the high-power STi treatment.
“If we designed [a new STI] now, it would have a very limited shelf life,” Subaru director of corporate communications Dominick Infante said at the time. “The regulations are changing so quickly that it kind of wouldn’t make any sense.”
And while that kills any dreams of a higher-power WRX from Subaru, it doesn’t necessarily mean that a special performance version can never be. As my colleague Chris Chilton previously noted, there is a WRX STI trim in Japan.
That model doesn’t bump power up at all, but it does add Recaro front seats, red stitching, carbon look trim, and aluminum pedals. Add some beefier brakes, and it starts to look like a worthwhile trim package that Subaru North America might be able to convince the accountants is worth making.
Whatever is going on under the tape, we’ll be excited to find out what Subaru is cooking up. Unfortunately, we still have no idea when the automaker plans to reveal it.
