Subaru’s Japan Mobility Show Reveal Proves Petrol Isn’t Dead, It’s Having a Party

Earlier this month, Subaru teased us with what could be the future of the brand. While some carmakers turn up to motor shows with slick shapes and polite smiles. Subaru, however, turned up to the Japan Mobility Show 2025 with a garage full of glorious lunacy. 

There’s an electric sports car, a petrol-powered STI concept, a couple of mud-hungry off-roaders, and even a resurrected 1983 wagon that looks ready for both a rally stage and a time warp. This is Subaru unleashed. A cocktail of future tech, old-school grit, and utter driver obsession.

Performance-E STI Concept: Electric Madness

First, they showcased the Performance-E STI Concept, Subaru’s idea of the future performance car. It’s not an appliance for saving the planet but a proper sports machine with rally-inspired lines and the stance of something that’s just been dared to behave itself. 

Subaru promises an “intuitive, exhilarating drive,” which, translated, means grip, balance, and a happy tail when the mood strikes. Inside, it’s futuristic but familiar: snug, practical, and unapologetically built for driving. Think WRX reborn for the electric age.

Performance-B STI Concept: Petrol Still Rules

Front and centre is the Performance-B STI Concept, the brand’s middle finger to the idea that the internal combustion engine is dead. This thing keeps Subaru’s greatest hits: a horizontally-opposed boxer engine, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and the kind of traction that could climb a cliff.

It’s not just nostalgia; it’s a bridge between Subaru’s rallying past and its electrified future. The STI treatment suggests plenty of power, precision, and that signature Subaru rumble that EVs just can’t replicate. It’s the automotive equivalent of turning up the volume on a rock guitar solo while the rest of the world whispers about range anxiety.

Trailseeker: The Electric Explorer

The Subaru Trailseeker is the second all-electric SUV in Subaru’s growing BEV lineup, and perhaps its most interesting yet. The name alone sounds like an invitation to drive straight into the wilderness. Subaru claims it “combines the precise driving control unique to BEVs with SUV practicality,” which means torque-rich electric performance wrapped in adventure-ready packaging.

Built for both the weekday commute and the weekend climb to somewhere with no Wi-Fi, the Trailseeker feels like Subaru’s sweet spot, a vehicle for those who want adventure without burning fuel (or bridges). Expect clever traction management, smart energy use, and just enough rugged design to make Land Rovers nervous.

Forester and Outback Wilderness: The Mud-Ready Twins

Subaru’s Wilderness badge is fast becoming a cult favorite, and at this show, the brand doubled down. The Forester Wilderness Prototype gets beefed-up bumpers, widened wheel arches, and fog lamps big enough to illuminate an entire campsite. It’s an SUV that doesn’t just look tough but is actually quite the contender. 

Meanwhile, the Outback Wilderness Prototype carries forward Subaru’s “in harmony with nature” mantra but gives it more ground clearance and even more muscle. Think of it as the automotive version of hiking boots that can also run a marathon. Together, the two prototypes expand Subaru’s reputation as the go-anywhere brand that actually means it.

1983 Subaru GL Family Huckster: Retro Insanity

And now for the wildcard — the 1983 Subaru GL Family Huckster. Originally a humble family wagon, now a motorsport-built monster. Revived by Subaru of America’s motorsports division, the Huckster pays tribute to the 1983 GL Wagon but injects it with modern technology, performance upgrades, and an attitude straight out of a Ken Block video.

It’s boxy, it’s brash, and it’s absolutely glorious. The Huckster is a celebration of Subaru’s quirky, indomitable spirit. It looks like something that could win a rally stage in the morning, then pick up groceries in the afternoon, if it doesn’t terrify everyone in the parking lot first.

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