Is the next generation Subaru WRX STI going electric? The new motorsport concept hints at a future WRX electric powertrain later this decade.

The STI E-RA concept has four electric motors, one for each wheel.

Subaru's sub-brand, STI (Subaru Tecnica International), has revealed a wild motorsports concept that could herald a future electric powertrain for the WRX.

Unveiled at this year's Tokyo Motor Show, the STI E-RA Concept was developed as part of the STI E-RA Challenge Project, a "near-future" study in motorsport that aims to gain experience with new powertrain technologies "in the automotive world." Motorsport in this carbon-neutral era has been focused on combating global warming.”

Aside from the signature headlights, the concept carries a few Subaru design cues, instead adopting an aerodynamic stance with a huge front splitter, F1-style wheel arches and roofline, and a giant rear wing.

Subaru says the concept's main goal is to be able to record a six-minute, 40-second lap time in a time attack at Germany's famed Nürburgring from 2023, but not before testing it at tracks in its native Japan.

This time it will overtake legendary cars including the Porsche 911 GT2 RS (6:43.30), Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series (6:43.62), Lamborghini Aventador SVJ (6:44.97) and the all-electric Nio EP9 (6:45.90). ).

The concept, which Subaru teased in December, features four electric motors that, according to STI, are directly attached to each of the car's four wheels for greater responsiveness and yaw control.

The high-torque, high-speed motors are equipped with a built-in inverter and transmission for "hyper-electric vehicles" developed by Japan's Yamaha. The power unit includes a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 60 kWh, and the total system power is 800 kW.

Traction and stability are improved by a torque vectoring system that, according to STI, “calculates signals from sensors for wheel speed, vehicle speed, steering angle, g-force, yaw rate, brake pressure and wheel load, determines the drive/brake torque. each wheel to obtain the target stability factor and instructs the inverter."

While the powertrain concept and technology is geared towards motorsport, it's possible elements of EV technology will eventually seep into Subaru's high-performance models like the WRX and the more hardcore WRX STI.

It won't be the upcoming WRX, however, as it will be powered by a 2.4kW, 202Nm 350-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Subaru has yet to release details on the WRX STI, but power is rumored to be below 300kW.

This means that the electric WRX will be the next generation, which will appear only at the end of this decade.

Subaru is no stranger to motorsport, having competed in the World Rally Championship for decades. It is also part of the Japanese Super GT series, the Subaru BRZ one-off series and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.