Subaru's STI division has unveiled the STI E-RA Concept, an electric (EV) supercar that was designed with a single purpose in mind--to break lap records. And its name indeed says it all because E-RA actually stands for Electric Record Attempt.

Specifically, the Subaru STI E-RA Concept's aim is to go around the Nurburgring in less than 6 minutes and 40 seconds in 2023. But before it does such a feat, the prototype EV will be extensively tested in Japan this year.

It seems Subaru is aiming its sights towards the Nio EP9, a 1,341-horsepower Chinese electric hypercar that has set the fastest lap around the Nurburgring for an electric car at 6 minutes, 45 seconds. The EP9, however, is not a production EV, nor is it road-legal either, and this will also probably be the case with the Subaru STI E-RA.

From there on, Subaru is also aiming to apply whatever lessons it has learned from developing the STI E-RA and then implement it into developing its motorsports technologies, all the while being able to combat climate change. Does this mean we will see an electric Subaru WRX STI in the future? Maybe.

So, how exactly is Subaru trying to achieve such a feat? Well, with the power of all-wheel drive (AWD) of course. The Subaru STI E-RA Concept consists of four electric motors along with an integrated inverter from Yamaha. The combined system output of the four electric motors is 1,073 horsepower, while its energy source is a 60 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The AWD system also has a smart torque vectoring system that monitors wheel speed, vehicle speed, steering, G-force, yaw rate, wheel load, and brake pressure in order to determine what amount of power or braking force is best sent to each wheel.

As for its styling, the STI Concept E-RA Concept's front fascia is characterized by a slim grille that's flanked by Subaru's signature C-shaped LED headlights. The slim grille channels air through the front bumper, and then the air exists through where a hood would normally be. There's also a large front splitter, while the front wheel arches feature openings for better aerodynamics.

The side profile is where the STI Concept E-RA looks like an LMP1 racecar. The enclosed cockpit with its roof scoop and wide proportions are all in the pursuit of better aerodynamics and handling, while the large rear wing and rear diffuser should give it plenty of downforce.

The Subaru STI E-RA Concept also reminds us of cars like the Rimac Nevera, which is actually an electric hypercar that's already in production. It also produces significantly more power at 1,914 horsepower, but the STI E-RA has been designed to break lap records from the get-go. This should probably mean that the Subaru electric hypercar will be lighter and more stripped-down compared to the Rimac.

Apart from the Subaru STI Concept E-RA, another striking concept has made its debut at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon, and that would be the Toyota GR GT3 Concept. It's also another bonkers-looking machine that, at least for now, we have no clue on what Toyota plans to do with it. What we're definitely sure of is that it's the true Toyota sports car that the world deserves.