The 2011 Subaru STI hatchback. Image: Subaru

These are crazy days for automakers, since almost all are scrambling to achieve the latest fuel economy requirements, which must total a fleet-wide average of 54.5 mpg by 2025. Automakers like Chevrolet can justify cars like the Camaro ZL-1 and the Corvette ZR1 thanks to more fuel-efficient models, like the Chevy Cruze, Chevy Sonic and Chevy Volt. If you’re Subaru, who only builds models in fuel-sucking AWD, you need to plot each and every move with care.

Mitsubishi has been vague about the next version of its Evolution, leading to speculation that it would be a hybrid, with less focus on all-out performance. The same has been said about Subaru’s STI models, but Left Lane News is confirming that upcoming STI variants (which will no longer be called Impreza WRX STI) will still be heavily focused on performance. Current models put out 305 horsepower from a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer-four, and you can expect future models to deliver at least comparable horsepower numbers.

We’re hearing that the next STI, set to debut as a 2013 model, will drop engine displacement to 2.0 liters, which makes sense since that’s the engine used in the upcoming BRZ. We also hear that the new STIs will be considerable lighter than the models they replace, which should ensure that performance remains impressive.

We expect to see the next generation STI models hit the show circuit in 2012, and we’re guessing they’ll debut late next year as 2013 models.