New Subaru WRX STI 2022 rendered: Fire-breathing performance icon takes shape

We might still be counting down the the days to the expected 2022 launch of the new WRX STI, but Subaru’s performance icon continues to take shape - this time courtesy of a tempting new render showcasing these iconic golden wheels.

The new STI is expected to launch a full 12 months after its WRX little brother, which is due next year, but let this render from artist Kleber Silva whet your appetite for the real deal.

Based on Subaru’s Viziv Performance STI Concept, this take adopts the soaring rear wing and muscular haunches, but also adds a splash of colour to the alloys, and tones down the front-end to something approaching production ready.

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What else do we know? Well early reports had the STI launching in October next year, but that date has reportedly been pushed back by at least eight months.

According to local media, launching the WRX STI early would see the brand fall foul of CAFE regulations. The Cooperative Average Fuel Efficiency standards can vary internationally, including exactly what the acronym stands for, but generally look at a car company's fuel use and emissions from its entire fleet of vehicles.

New reports out of Japan suggest that Subaru is waiting until it is further down the hybrid/BEV path before unleashing the WRX STI, which would essentially blow out the brand's fleet standards.

And we do mean blow out: international reports point to the new performance powerhouse scoring a 2.4-litre turbo engine (a version of the engine used in the brand's Ascent SUV) that will deliver a 298kW and 489Nm wallop.

Expect the STI to break cover towards the end of 2021, ahead of a 2022 on-sale date.