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A new concept from the STI performance division previews a hardcore Toyota GR Corolla competitor... but Subaru says it's not coming to showrooms.
Subaru has previewed a potential return to the hot-hatch segment with the reveal of a new Performance-B concept at the Tokyo motor show this week.
But it is strictly a concept, and there are no plans to put the Performance-B – based on the current Impreza hatch – into production, Subaru says.
The Performance-B treats the five-door body shell of the latest Impreza hatch to an STI overhaul, with wider wheel arches, a tall fixed rear wing, and an aggressive black bonnet scoop hinting at turbo power under the bonnet.
The black plastic accents of the WRX sedan have been skipped in favour of body-coloured accents, plus a new front face distinct from the WRX sedan, with the STI division's signature cherry pink accents around the grille.
A centre-exit dual exhaust is framed by a new diffuser and aggressive vents, while 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza track-day tyres fill the arches.
Limited technical details of the Performance-B concept have been revealed, but it is likely to use a version of the 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four engine seen in today's WRX.
An alternate candidate is an all-new engine for the next generation of Subaru performance cars, including a future WRX, as today's model is four years into its life and due for replacement later this decade.
Visible inside the car is a manual gear stick, in place of a CVT automatic standard in all Impreza models sold to the public, while 'Proud of BOXER' lettering features on the bonnet scoop.
"A concept model representing Subaru’s Performance Scene, with an internal combustion engine (ICE) base. The design achieves a balance of advanced performance and power with practicality," Subaru said in a media statement.
"By flexibly incorporating the assets Subaru has honed over many years, including a horizontally-opposed engine and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, this model expands the range of options that deliver the Subaru difference, offering more customers the chance to experience the joy of driving."
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
