--- title: "Subaru Mashed Like Three Cars Together to Make This WRX STI Hatch" date: "2025-10-29" modified: "2025-10-29" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/subaru-mashed-like-three-cars-together-to-make-this-wrx-sti-hatch" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Subaru News" tags: - "concept" - "Hatchback" - "sports car" - "Subaru" - "WRX STi" --- # Subaru Mashed Like Three Cars Together to Make This WRX STI Hatch ![Subaru Performance-B STI Concept]() *\Joel Feder\* There's an especially vocal contingent of [Subaru]() enthusiasts that believes the WRX must be a hatchback. And seemingly for these enthusiasts, Subaru brought with it not one but two World Rally Blue-clad, hatch-toting concepts to this year's Japan Mobility Show. [One is intended to be all-electric](), and looks like no [WRX]() we've ever seen. The other, though, is striking because it *does* look like a few cars we've seen before, just never at the same time. What Subaru appears to have done with the Performance-B STI Concept is graft a modern WRX's headlights and face onto what is otherwise an [Impreza hatch](), only with blown-out fenders and a gigantic wing. Technically speaking, this wouldn't seem to be too hard, as the models share a platform. But it is nevertheless strange in practice, because many of us are probably more used to seeing the back end of a current Impreza in its rougher, granola-crunching [Crosstrek]() form. The result is a mishmash of three small Subarus that looks like something you'd swear does exist, but doesn't—officially. Until now. The other oddity is that, having been in Tokyo for the big event for the better part of a week at this point, I have seen a few Levorgs, which are essentially WRX wagons, on the street. Put another way, this Performance-B vehicle is like one of those, only squished lengthwise. ![Subaru Performance-B STI concept]() ![Subaru Performance-B STI concept]() ![Subaru Performance-B STI concept]() Part of me finds it neat for Subaru to make this, even if it's a little cruel toward all those hatch-loving WRX fans, and a little late considering the current-gen WRX has been on the market for four years now. The automaker hasn't even shared any meaningful details about what's under the hood, other than that it's a flat-four. No power, no torque, nothing. But it's got wicked box flares and center-exit dual exhaust over a race-ready diffuser, and that makes enough of a statement for the show floor. ![Subaru Performance-B STI concept]() ![Subaru Performance-B STI concept]() But then I wind up back at the cruel part. Subaru already does this car slow, slow and tall, fast with a trunk, and fast but long. Here, it's finally settled on the right package—*and* with an STI badge—but once again, it's a built for an auto show. Once again, its designers have gone to the trouble of envisaging the very car of their customers' dreams, and stopping short of mass production. Will this time end differently? You'd love to say yes, but [history wouldn't be on your side](). ![Subaru Performance-B STI concept]() **Joel Feder** *Got a tip about future product? We want to hear from you at tips@thedrive.com*[]() ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()