subaru shakes down new sti hatchbackis there a new wrx incoming Subaru may have just offered the cleanest signal yet that the WRX STI hatchback could be making a comeback. Unveiled in Japan, the new Subaru High Performance X Version II (HiPerfX2) is a track-only race car set to compete in the ST-Q class of the 2026 Super Taikyu Series. It replaces the HiPerfX1, WRX-based sedan Subaru previously campaigned. The automaker says the new car will serve as a "rolling laboratory" for future performance car development. Subaru hasn't offered a true WRX STI hatchback since 2014, when the last generation bowed out. Since then, performance models have stuck to sedan sheetmetal. 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro: All the Details subaru shakes down new sti hatchbackis there a new wrx incoming The HiPerfX2 changes that-at least visually. The car is clearly hatchback-based and builds on Subaru's recent concepts like the Performance-B STI shown late in 2025. Subaru started with a body-in-white, allowing engineers to design the chassis and aero package from the ground up. Development also included collaboration with Subaru's in-house Aerospace division to refine airflow and optimize underbody performance. Much of the car's hardware carries over from the HiPerfX1 sedan. STI's new car features wide bolt-on fender flares, unique front and rear bumpers, a vented hood, and a large rear wing. It measures slightly longer than a standard Impreza, while sharing a similar wheelbase to the current WRX sedan. Underneath, it rides on a reinforced version of Subaru's Global Platform, just adapted for racing. Power comes from a motorsport-tuned version of Subaru's 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder, producing around 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. subaru shakes down new sti hatchbackis there a new wrx incoming AutoGuide's Take: While Subaru hasn't confirmed any production plans, the messaging around the HiPerfX2 is telling. The company describes the car as a development platform that will evolve through racing, potentially influencing future road cars. The current WRX sedan is nearing the end of its lifecycle in Japan, and rumors have been building around what comes next. If an STI-badged model returns, the HiPerfX2 suggests it could potentially show up a widebody hatchback rather than another sedan. Should that happen, Subaru would be re-entering a competitive hot hatch segment currently dominated by models like the Toyota GR Corolla and Volkswagen Golf R. The 20 Most Popular Used Vehicles Available In America Right Now