Subaru unveils Viziv Performance STI Concept at 2018 Tokyo Auto Salon

There is nothing more exciting happening this month than the 2018 Tokyo Auto Salon - especially with all the concepts that are being uncovered. Apart from the Toyota GR Super Sport with almost 1,000 horsepower, the next one in line is the new Subaru Viziv Performance STI. In other words, it means a new WRX STI is being developed as the concept provides a number of things to come as far as the sporty sedan’s next generation.

So what can we expect? Well, the automaker has not shared a lot of technical details but they did say that the concept will give us an idea of what the future will look like for Subaru - with their goal to deliver enjoyment and peace of mind to its customers.

When looking at the images, the front fascia shows a more aggressive and race-ready Viziv Performance concept. The bumper now looks beefier, while the alloy wheels look bigger. The quad exhaust in the rear is quite prominent, as well as the massive rear wing with side extensions. Overall, it looks a lot like the concept we saw last October at the Tokyo Motor Show, but with race ready bits and pieces.

Similar with the last concept, the STI remains to have a number of carbon fiber trim - from the wheel arches, the hood scoop, and to the roof. To let the STI version stand out from the regular model, Subaru gave it some red accents around the front grille to match the badge. The bumper also got the Subaru Tecnica International branding on the updated front bumper and the sides of the rear wing.

The race-ready model is not that different from the earlier concept. We do think that the wing is probably the most important modification. And we have to admit that it is not that much of a surprise if you take into account the upgrades of the WRX and its STI counterpart, right? By the end of the decade, we will also likely see a new generation of the dynamic duo.

Subaru also said that the range-topping model will likely veer from the 2.5 liter engine, and instead have a smaller engine that will work with an electric motor, and be paired with a CVT automatic gearbox. So expect the next generation to be a hybrid model and to have the all wheel drive system. Meanwhile, we are not expecting a manual version of the car, but we do think that it will come with Subaru’s EyeSight safety technology, which they are committed to doing right now.

The production version will likely be based on the same platform as the newest Impreza hatchback. This platform was designed to work with both hybrid and electric models, says Chris Hawken, UK marketing director of Subaru.