For car enthusiasts, the Subaru WRX STI is an iconic vehicle. It's the car that brought rally racing to the masses, and it's been a staple of the Subaru lineup for decades. But in recent years, there have been rumors that Subaru might be discontinuing the STI. So, did Subaru really discontinue the STI?
The Rumors
There have been rumors floating around for years that Subaru might be discontinuing the STI. Some people even claimed that the current generation of STI, which was released in 2014, would be the last. These rumors were fueled by a few different factors.
First, the STI has seen a decline in sales in recent years. This isn't surprising, given that the car's design and technology haven't changed significantly in over a decade. Additionally, Subaru has been focusing more on its SUV lineup in recent years, which has led some people to believe that the company might be shifting away from performance cars like the STI.
Subaru's Response
Despite the rumors, Subaru has consistently denied that it plans to discontinue the STI. In fact, the company has even hinted that a new generation of the car might be in the works. In 2019, Subaru debuted the WRX STI EJ20 Final Edition in Japan, which was billed as a "farewell model" for the current generation of STI. However, Subaru made it clear that this was not the end of the STI.
Additionally, in a 2022 interview with Car and Driver, Subaru's chief engineer for the WRX and WRX STI, Masuo Takatsu, confirmed that the company is working on a new generation of the STI. While he didn't give any specifics about the car, he did say that it will be "a completely new vehicle" and that it will "surprise" fans of the STI.
What to Expect
So, what can we expect from the new generation of the STI? Unfortunately, Subaru hasn't given us many details yet. However, there are a few things that we can speculate about based on the company's recent moves.
First, it's likely that the new STI will be built on Subaru's new global platform, which is currently used in the Impreza and Crosstrek. This platform is more flexible than the one used in the current generation of the STI, which should make it easier for Subaru to make changes to the car's design and technology.
Additionally, it's possible that the new STI will feature a hybrid powertrain. Subaru has been experimenting with hybrid technology in recent years, and the company has said that it plans to electrify its entire lineup by 2035. A hybrid STI could offer improved performance and fuel efficiency, which would be a win-win for fans of the car.
The Bottom Line
So, did Subaru discontinue the STI? No, it didn't. While there were rumors that the car might be on its way out, Subaru has consistently denied them. In fact, the company is working on a new generation of the STI, which should be even better than the current one. While we don't know much about the new STI yet, we can expect it to be built on a new platform and possibly feature a hybrid powertrain. Fans of the car should be excited for what's to come!
The Future of the STI
Overall, the future of the STI looks bright. While the current generation of the car is getting a bit long in the tooth, Subaru is working on a new version that should be even better. The company has hinted that the new STI will be "a completely new vehicle" that will "surprise" fans of the car. While we don't know exactly what that means yet, it's clear that Subaru is committed to keeping the STI alive and well.
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