Like it or not, Subie's all-electric sports car concept for the Japanese Mobility Show is a sign of the times.
Like it or not, Subie's all-electric sports car concept for the Japan Mobility Show is a sign of the times.It almost looked like one of those hurried SEMA show concepts, where the paint isn’t even dry and everything seems a bit unfinished in the runup to getting it on the truck and to the floor before the show opens.
But that didn’t stop Subaru from dropping this world-debut on the assembled masses at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show: an STI-loaded e-bomb called the Subaru Performance-E STI concept.Clearly a trial balloon of sorts, there was scant detail about the Performance-E’s, er, performance other than Subaru says it’s a battery-powered car, and that it will be all-wheel drive, which means at least two electric motors front and rear. Speaking of the front and rear, despite a paint job that could best be described as spray-paint plus , the general proportions of the Subaru Performance-E STI are quite impressive and evoke Subaru’s heritage in a good way. Dare we say its stance is a decided step up from today’s WRX .The front end features the block type, grille-less front end that’s standard fare on today’s EVs, but with an aggressive lower front air dam and splitter, framed up top by thin, swept back headlamps and a hood with massive air ducts. We’re not super jazzed about whatever is happening with those rims, what with the black tendrils grabbing onto a Subie gold signature outer rim with drilled holes. Points for originality at least. Out back, after you get past the wide, creased, blocky rear fenders is more good looks from high-performance and style perspectives, with two rear winglets framing each end of the top of the rear deck, full length taillamps and a blocky rear diffuser lending it a wide feel. For all the unfinished-ness about it, to us, taken as a whole, this STI-badged badass is one of the best-looking super Subarus in some time. In the cabin, which was not visible on the stand, Subaru claims the Performance-E STI is comfortable and open, with an easy-to-drive layout, whatever that means. It sounds good at least. More marketing speak talks of innovative technologies, and a driving experience that can be “controlled at will.” Well, we hope that’s the case. So, trial balloon has been floated; an all-electric, WRX-STI lineage car could be in the offing. Anything’s possible these days, so we’ll wait and see, but hey, its style is pretty much there. Next time though, Subaru, we know a paint guy, we can put you in touch.One of my seminal memories was the few months I spent helping my cousin Steve literally build me from the frame up a super sick 1970 Chevy Nova in his garage just off of 8 Mile . Black with white SS stripes. 350 V-8. Blackjack headers. Ladder bars. Four on the floor. Drum brakes all around. Mainly I helped hand him the wrenches, the bondo, the buffing wheel, the beer. When it was finally done and I blistered the tires for the first time, plumes of smoke filling up my rear view, I felt like a true American Bad Ass . That's what it was like for so many of us who grew up in The D back in the day. It was about muscle. Detroit Iron. So when I had an opportunity to get into this crazy business, you best believe I leapt like a bionic cheetah at the chance. Over the past three decades or so , I've been honored and privileged to be a part of four outstanding publications in Motor Trend, Automobile, Autoweek, and the Detroit Free Press. And while the salad days back in my cousin's garage seem a million miles away, my love for cars -- and my hometown of Detroit -- have never wavered. Neither has my commitment to delivering the best possible experience to the readers I've served and will continue to serve now and in the future.
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