The 2022 Subaru WRX was revealed in September last year, and as much as there was plenty to hate in terms of its design, the car seemed to have all the ingredients for a fine sports sedan recipe. Then the Japanese market got a special model called the WRX S4, which seemed to be a preview for an inevitable STI model. Sadly, Subaru then dashed our hopes of seeing an uprated WRX when it announced that the current generation would not be getting an STI model because the automaker is instead "exploring opportunities for the next-generation Subaru WRX STI, including electrification."

Essentially, an STI model for this generation would be a waste of valuable resources because Subaru needs to start considering the future of emissions regulations. But as it turns out, there may yet be a glimmer of hope.

The regular Subaru WRX was launched in Australia last week, and local publication Drive asked a representative about any potential performance enhancements for the car. The answer was as follows:

"I think it's always great to see the passion our customers have and the desire for that. We obviously want to listen to what our customers are after. There are a lot of discussions happening with Subaru Corporation and STI. We're delighted to have a range [of STI accessories and enhancements] for launch, but in terms of what is [in] the cards for the future, we'll need to remain a bit coy on that. It's not a no."

That answer seems to suggest that a full STI model is still not going to happen, but local enthusiasts are putting pressure on Subaru representatives down under to, at the very least, bring an STI Performance or Tuned by STI model to market. Ultimately, enthusiasts in Australia (and also New Zealand) are demanding a performance model and could get one, but since American buyers seem content to just accept that the WRX is the best they can get, that's all they'll be offered. Hopefully, the next-generation WRX and its STI big brother will make up for this generation's glaring omission.