Subaru WRX STI coming in October 2021! New 298kW lightweight weapon readying for launch - reports

Subaru's performance icon could be here in October next year, with Japanese reports confirming the WRX STI is readying for launch.

One of the most hotly anticipated performance cars of recent times, the new WRX STI is expected to swap use of Subaru's turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, currently at work in the Ascent SUV in the USA, where it produces around 190kW and 376Nm. 

And yes, those numbers would be a little underwhelming in a WRX STI. But that engine is also very flexible, and solid international reporting suggests the power will be bumped right up to 298kW and 489Nm - more than enough to outshine the current car's outputs of 221kW and 407Nm.

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New Subaru WRX STI 2021 detailed: Performance hero to get 2.4-litre turbo engine with 298kW and 489Nm: report

To hit those power peaks, Subaru has reinforced the crankshaft and pistons, fine-tuned the valves and intake ports, optimised the timing balance and tweaked boost pressure.

Reports out of Japan today suggest the new vehicle will stretch 4650mm in length, 1800mm in width and 1470mm in height, and will ride on a 2675mm. But the spec that really grabbed our attention was the expected weight of 1550kg.

That's a lot of power. And given the existing model weights 1572kg, and that the new one creates a lot more power, the 2021 STI should be a beast. The current STI can clip 100km/h in just 5.2 seconds, it should make the new version a sub-5.0sec car.

Either way, expect the new STI to live up to expectations. 

“From what we’ve seen, what Subaru will put together is going to be a fantastic product,” Subaru Australia Managing Director, Colin Christie, told CarsGuide at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.