Subaru Executive Attributes WRX STI's Absence to European Market Factors

      Subaru

      Sign up for The Drive Daily

      Aside from a limited-edition model exclusive to Japan, it appears that the current Subaru WRX generation will not lead to a faster, more powerful STI version. A high-ranking executive from the company attributed the discontinuation of the WRX STI to increasingly stringent emissions regulations in Europe, while suggesting that Subaru may leverage electrification to re-enter the sports sedan market.

      “Ask a typical person what Subaru represents and they’ll mention STI. You can’t separate this from Subaru. So, we need to reintroduce sportiness to Subaru,” stated David Dello Stritto, head of Subaru’s European division, in an interview with British magazine Autocar. “At the moment, it’s not feasible for us: Europe dictates otherwise due to a gasoline particulate filter that can severely hinder your engine’s performance.”

      He makes a valid point. In recent times, strict emissions laws have kept numerous sports cars out of the European market. Nissan does not offer the Z in the European Union because “a shrinking European sports car market combined with specific emissions regulations” made it unviable to create a sustainable business model. Renault has also ceased production of hot hatches for similar reasons. Honda continues to sell the Civic Type R, but the cost is €106,121 (approximately $120,762 at the current exchange rate) to purchase (€57,220) and register (€48,901) in France. While it’s not outright prohibited, it’s very close. Given this context, it's not surprising that Subaru decided against reviving the WRX STI.

      Subaru

      However, I remain skeptical about placing full blame on European regulators for the STI's discontinuation. While they are indeed responsible for the gradual decline of Europe’s sports car market, one must consider how many WRX STI units Subaru would have sold there—likely not many. Even a decade ago, when it was easier to sell sports cars in Europe due to relaxed regulations and higher demand, the largest market for the WRX STI was the United States by a significant margin, with European sales being a minor consideration on a global scale.

      An important aspect is that the decision to discontinue the WRX STI was made in the late 2010s when there was a prevailing belief that the electric future was imminent. Achieving this transition requires a substantial investment in new technologies and a shift towards a more environmentally responsible image. The development costs for the WRX STI are high, and it is not among the most eco-friendly vehicles available.

      I cannot predict the future, and this is purely conjecture, but I contend that the WRX STI's demise was largely due to timing misalignment. Don't expect a next-generation WRX STI—at least not one powered solely by a traditional turbocharged flat-four engine. “We have plans to reintroduce sportiness at Subaru,” Dello Stritto noted, emphasizing that electrification provides an opportunity to enhance performance in the lineup without running afoul of regulators, which could result in significant fines that a relatively small company like Subaru cannot easily bear.

      “We’re developing more sporty models, and electrification allows us to do this,” Dello Stritto concluded.

      Have any tips? Send them to [email protected]