Subaru has offered its clearest hint yet that the WRX STI hatchback could return. The automaker unveiled the new High Performance X Version II (HiPerfX2) in Japan—a track-only race car set to compete in the ST-Q class of the 2026 Super Taikyu Series. The HiPerfX2 succeeds the WRX-based HiPerfX1 sedan and is described by Subaru as a “rolling laboratory” for the development of future performance vehicles.
The WRX STI has not been available as a hatchback since 2014, with subsequent performance models limited to sedan configurations. The HiPerfX2, however, signals a shift, at least in design. The car draws inspiration from Subaru’s recent concepts, including the late 2025 Performance-B STI, and features a clearly hatchback-based profile.
Engineers started with a body-in-white, allowing them to develop a bespoke chassis and aerodynamic package from the ground up. Subaru’s in-house Aerospace division contributed to optimizing airflow and underbody performance, while much of the HiPerfX2’s hardware is carried over from the HiPerfX1 sedan.
Visually, the car stands out with wide bolt-on fender flares, unique front and rear bumpers, a vented hood, and a prominent rear wing. It is slightly longer than a standard Impreza but shares a wheelbase with the current WRX sedan. Beneath the body, it rides on a reinforced version of Subaru’s Global Platform adapted for racing.
Power comes from a motorsport-tuned 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine, generating approximately 359 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. The engine runs on carbon-neutral E20 fuel, developed in partnership with ENEOS, and is paired with a six-speed manual transmission and Subaru’s experimental Driver Control Center Differential all-wheel-drive system.
While Subaru has not confirmed production plans, the HiPerfX2 is positioned as a development platform that could influence future road-going models. With the current WRX sedan nearing the end of its lifecycle in Japan, speculation is mounting that a return of the STI badge could come in the form of a widebody hatchback rather than another sedan.
If realized, Subaru would be re-entering a competitive hot hatch segment dominated by vehicles such as the Toyota GR Corolla and Volkswagen Golf R, potentially redefining its performance lineup for a new generation of enthusiasts.
