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Subaru Reveals A Next-Generation WRX S4 STI? New Images With Video

Subaru just released a new video showing the 2022 WRX S4 with STI badging. Check out the video and new images here.

The 2023 Subaru WRX STI launch is still one year away as it will make its global reveal next fall. But Subaru just released a new video showing the S4 WRX with an STI badge. The S4 is Subaru Japan's version of the WRX and the U.S.-spec model was just uncovered for the North American market.

We aren't sure why the 2022 WRX S4 has an STI badge unless Subaru Corporation is testing a new S4 STI model for its customers in Japan. The U.S. will get an all-new WRX STI with a new 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and an increase in horsepower over the outgoing EJ25 2.5-liter engine.

2023 Subaru WRX STI, next-generation Subaru STI

The redesigned STI will get additional Subaru Tecnica International engine upgrades over the 2022 WRX, just revealed by Subaru of America. The new WRX only comes with a three-horsepower increase for its new FA24 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine.

Reports say the 2023 Subaru STI will have nearly 400 horsepower, but we think the all-new fifth-generation STI will have a modest bump from the current 2021 model year's 310 horsepower.

2023 Subaru WRX STI, next-generation Subaru STI

The new Subaru video released yesterday shows the WRX S4 carving corners, and the next-generation performance sedan has the same styling as the U.S.-specification 2022 WRX. Performance fans in the U.S. loathe the black plastic wheel arch cladding.

Fans say it looks like a Crosstrek small SUV and call the new exterior look the "WRX Trek." Most fans think the new fenders make the wheels look tiny and out of proportion.

The all-new redesigned 2023 Subaru WRX STI is coming next year, and it could be late winter before it's available in the U.S. market. There are more delays with the global microchip shortage shutting down production in Gunma, Japan, where the performance-tuned STI is manufactured.

You Might Also Like: Is The New Subaru WRX 2.4L Engine Reliable? Why It's The Best Yet For Performance Tuners

Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Subaru

Comments

2loki4u (not verified)    October 2, 2021 - 10:06AM

Totally Disgusted... 2022 wrx is possibly subaru's biggest mistake to date - unless their goal was to totally alienate their enthusiasts - cause if that was their goal, they nailed it...

I've got a 2015, 3/4s of the way to full bolt on... stopped building it when I saw the pzev sti at the auto show and learned about the 2.4L fa motor...

They screwed up every item on the list. From only providing a cvt in the gt to not making any more power out of the 2.4 than they make in the 2.0... the lack of manual option with ricaros & upgraded interior or the suspension is unforgivable... as is that heinous plastic cladding on the rear bumper and wheel wells, that's beyond awful... if I wanted a damn crosstalk as a sedan, than sure, this wouldn't be terrible, but for goodness sake, this is supposed to be the last available sports car with awd and a manual...

It's as if they [Subaru] is purposely trying to get out of the import tuner scene...

Thx, but maybe after a few folks total these 22's I can pick up an fa24 with ecu and swap it in to my 2015 body and get it tuned by a pro... if not, there's always IAG I suppose... SMH...

Bryan (not verified)    October 2, 2021 - 1:19PM

In reply to by 2loki4u (not verified)

What is 3/4 FBO haha this just tells me you've likely not really modified anything because that's pretty much stock and thinking IAG would be comparable is hilarious. An IAG FA20 block still won't hold as much power as a stock FA24.

It looks like you're either intentionally not understanding the trim or just are not really versed in cars. The GT is literally a lifted WRX which will be basically a performance sedan Crosstrek.....the real WRX will still be manual, as will the STi, which is really the only trim that matters.

2loki4u (not verified)    October 2, 2021 - 5:42PM

In reply to by Bryan (not verified)

OK there Mr Meathead... could you be more of a toxic douche? Please?

3/4 bolt on is everything but an upgraded turbo, fmic & flex... need a breakdown?
Invidia catless j, Grimm Cai & 3pbcs, tgv/egr deletes, Cobb BPV, perrin pitch mount, act extreme clutch pack w/Lt wgt fly, full boomba short shift kit, perrin brass bushing, shift stop, enki 18s w/ bf Goodrich comp2s, neomax coilovers, whiteline bushings, verrus pitch fork & pivot ball, tmic other exterior trim items, full rip & replace audio system & protuned...
So yeah...
And I get what the fa24 could make... but based on the 22 wrx, they aren't bothering to do anything special with it... the 22 is fugly, no longer a street performance machine IMHO- it's a crosstrek with a mild turbo and it's now a sedan with a tail that looks like a cheap civic...

My comment about IAG block is that in a 15-21 wrx it can make 500 all day and would be a proper awd street machine... like I also said, if you transplant a 2.4 block and ecu that could be an option to give you even more power - but to me, the 22 is a dead end for the street machine that has dominated the scene for 15+yrs...
It's just an opinion bone head...
FYI, I did more than 3/4 of the mods myself... so bug off...

Ruck (not verified)    October 9, 2021 - 4:36PM

In reply to by 2loki4u (not verified)

Well as an enthusiast of subaru, I disagree with the wrx being a street machine. It's biggest weakness is onroad as opposed to offroad. The wrx is by design a rally car and should be more well rounded, not a low down low down shiny rim glossy painted sedan. I appreciate subaru is amplifying the rally car DNA and lifting it up and making it more useable on gravel and dirt. I've always felt weird with road oriented wrx builds because it's in a way defeating it's own purpose. It's not that good of a road car as it is gravel and dirt and bad weather. Like the golf r and ford hot hatches are all much more street oriented. I'm glad subaru is making a more bonfied rally car.

YT81 (not verified)    October 20, 2021 - 10:44PM

In reply to by 2loki4u (not verified)

So how are you liking your car power wise, with all the mods that you've done so far? Was it worth it in your opinion? I have a 2018 wrx 6MT and had the 'Nameless' axleback exhaust with COBB Accessport since pretty much the beginning. Last week finally pulled the trigger and installed the COBB non-resonated midpipe (ordered resonated one but orders got mixed up so the place offered the non-resonated which they had on hand) and the COBB full intake while using one of their ots maps. Car has been 'sputtering' between ~3000rpm and ~6000rpm , so decided to take it to a local Dyno shop for some diagnostics. I guess they mentioned carbon cleaning (my car has 82+k miles at this point and bought it brand new in 2018 and from my research carbon cleaning is a must at certain mile intervals in order for the car to function at 'full potential' I guess), spark plugs change out and throw iit on the Dyno for a proper tune etc. Should be picking it back up tomorrow evening. I guess i haven't really experienced the full power upgrade since adding all the bolt-ons due to those issues mentioned above. But tomorrow I should be good to go. Back to my question I guess, is the power instead decent-ok-good-great or awesome and do you feel a significant enough improvement to warrant the cash spent on these upgrades. Thanks

Bryan (not verified)    October 2, 2021 - 11:55AM

The FA24 can handle 600whp stock internals so it is highly likely that they will release the STi with 375-400hp. Anyone that thinks they will keep it close to 310 doesn't understand the market or the cars in that price range.

Spe (not verified)    October 4, 2021 - 3:55PM

In reply to by Bryan (not verified)

They missed a great opportunity with the wrx. Most underwhelming car I’ve seen in the past few years. STI will be a let down as well, 400hp will not happen

Aaron D. (not verified)    October 15, 2021 - 10:24PM

In reply to by Bryan (not verified)

I discovered from Subaru that they are claiming that, supposedly...that the fa24 will most certainly be more capable, durable, and tunable than both the fa20 2L & the 2.5L Sti. They are claiming that, as they expect, customers will more than likely increase..everything. I personally believe the #'s will be more around a 50hp/wtq increase with the new STI..coming stock with 360hp/380tq is on par with the '22 Supra..if their gonna ask $50k as a starting point that's what I would expect to see.

jay (not verified)    October 3, 2021 - 12:25AM

WRX S4 is the CVT only version for Japan. STI in Japan and many other markets in Asia is more of a trim level. There is Crosstrek STI Performance for example which is a Crosstrek with STI Performance parts added.

ShiroTheHiro (not verified)    November 1, 2021 - 11:40PM

The funniest part about these comments is that everyone said the SAME THINGS in 2008/09. Then again in 2015. Same thing with the new taco in 16.
Give it a year, the dust will settle and once people see what these actually do and look like, the tide will shift and people will be clamoring about how 'lame' EJs are compared to the new FA, and how smart Subaru was, etc. Etc. Every generation has the same type of people complaining about the same things.
Chill out until these actually hit the streets and real butts get into real seats.
Until then, keep bragging on random comments how your "Stage 27.4 setup will run 10s all day long" and how "your next mods will put you into the 9s" and how you "did almost all the work yourself in your driveway".

Mattyk (not verified)    December 13, 2021 - 9:12PM

I had an MY00 and MY05 ... Since then it's been downhill. What happened to the 'in your face' attitude from the late 90's, early 00's? So many better cars are coming along all the time but WRX seems to be stuck in the past. Sad that I feel compelled to look elsewhere for my next car as Subaru just doesn't excite me anymore