2022 Subaru Solterra STI: Japan’s Ioniq 5 N fighter imagined

The 2022 Subaru Solterra may have only just been revealed, but already rumours of an STI version have begun.

Subaru showed the all-electric Solterra to the world last week, unveiling the company’s first dedicated battery-powered model, developed in collaboration with Toyota.

The Solterra will be offered in two types: the first uses a single 150kW electric motor to power the front wheels, while a second all-wheel-drive model uses dual 80kW electric motors – with 530 kilometres and 460 kilometres of driving range available respectively (WLTP test cycle).

But what if Subaru mounted the 150kW electric motor on both axles to create a high-performance model?

With Hyundai preparing to launch its electric Ioniq 5 N, digital artist X-Tomi Design has imaged what the Solterra would look like if it was developed by the company's STI division.

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The Solterra STI incorporates a deep body kit, bonnet scoop, closed-off hexagonal grille, fog lights, lowered suspension on large black alloy wheels, a black roof, and finished in the company’s trademark World Rally blue.

Past rumours out of Japan suggest Toyota and Subaru are cooking up yet another shared model as part of their joint collaboration, possibly a small hot hatch with roots to the GR Yaris, with the aim of reviving Subaru’s world rally program.

While there’s no solid indication yet of a Subaru Solterra STI – or a Toyota GR BZ4X – it’s possible the Japanese carmakers could begin work on performance versions of the electric SUV to compete with the likes of the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.