Home / Motoring / Subaru

Subaru’s New Performance Agenda Is Apparently Going Beyond the Usual Suspects

Some new trademark filings have us mulling over the many possibilities.

Rear side of a blue Subaru Performance-E STI concept car with illuminated red taillights and a large rear spoiler.Subaru
Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google
A black and white portrait of a smiling man with short, dark hair. He is wearing a light-colored blazer over a collared shirt. The background is plain and unobtrusive.

By Chris Chin

Published

·

Subaru seems very serious about revamping its STI lineup and more. New trademark filings with the World Intellectual Property Office show the Japanese automaker appears to be prepping some new future models.

But they’re not exactly names that anyone’s ever heard of before. Included in the trademark filings are some new badges, such as “ACX” and “VPX,” along with versions with “STI” appended to them (1, 2).

While one of the names should be familiar to Subaru fans, the other has us considering the many possibilities for what it could bring.

The new names could indicate new electric models, or a BRZ successor

Blue Subaru BRZ sports car parked on a road with mountainous terrain in the background, featuring sleek aerodynamic design, black alloy wheels, and illuminated headlights.
The Subaru BRZ is nearing the end of its production run, which has fans wondering about its future.
Subaru

Just a couple of weeks ago, our pals down yonder caught wind of some new trademark filings by Subaru. Two of which were also the “ACX” and “ACX STI.”

Based on their assessment, the ACX could be a potential replacement for the BRZ as Subaru prepares a next-gen successor. That’s because Subaru’s naming convention typically adheres to full-lettered words, as opposed to short letter combinations.

Silver two-door coupe car parked on grass with tall orange-brown grass in the background.
Subaru’s latest trademark filings align with some of the brand’s past naming conventions, which led to models like the SVX.
Subaru

The BRZ is the only exception within Subaru’s lineup. Additionally, Subaru previously used the “ACX” nameplate to designate the prototype that eventually gave birth to the production XT and SVX from the ’80s and ’90s.

With the latest development, those same rumors remain relevant. But the added icing on the cake, which really has fans excited, is the filing for the “ACX STI” nameplate.

While trademark filings don’t guarantee future products, they still have Subaru fans and Japanese sports car fans alike wondering. They’re especially interesting since the BRZ is nearing the end of its series production lifecycle and everyone’s wondering what’s next.

White 1980s two-door coupe car with "4WD Turbo" badge parked on rocky desert terrain.
Subaru used the “ACX” badge to designate the prototypes for what eventually would become the production XT.
Subaru

Some think the ACX could be the BRZ’s successor. The inclusion of the ACX STI badge also has enthusiasts wondering if Subaru’s actually preparing a spicier version of its sports coupe.

As for the “VPX,” it could be anyone’s guess. The Fuji Heavy Industries-owned automaker is currently developing its future product strategy as it prepares to transition to an all-electric lineup.

A Subaru “VPX” is a new one

Blue sporty hatchback car with gold and black wheels and a rear spoiler in a studio setting.
Subaru’s STI division revealed the Performance-E Concept last year to announce their comeback plans as the automaker’s performance division.
Subaru

While it’s not a major priority for the brand, especially with others dialing back their EV efforts. The projected long-term future of most, if not all automakers, still appears to remain all-electric. Thus, Subaru is reportedly getting its ducks in a row to reveal some new electric models.

The VPX could be one of them, particularly since Subaru has a history of using the letter “X” to designate experimental models. The automaker did the same when it was first developing the Impreza-based WRX, which stood for “World Rally eXperimental.” (We all know how that one ended up.)

Dark brown electric SUV with black alloy wheels parked on a city street.
The Fuji Heavy Industries-owned automaker is still eying an electric future.
Subaru

Other rumors suggest the VPX badge could be reserved for some future experimental racecars. Especially since Subaru is ramping up its STI division once again.

Earlier this year and in late 2025, Subaru revealed new STI-based concepts to show the world that it wants to make fun sports cars again. With STI already on the path to a return, this news only adds fuel to the fire.

Blue Subaru hatchback with black roof, hood scoop, wide fenders, and large rear spoiler in a studio.
Fans are still waiting for a true WRX STI successor, which the Performance-B teased in October 2025.
Subaru

Most purists are crossing their fingers for the revival of the WRX STI. But these new nameplates could imply that Subaru is building out its performance division beyond the traditional examples.

Who would say no to more Subaru STI models?

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

Read More

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

add as a preferred source on google
, ,