Digitally Electric Subaru Baja Revival Would Make the BRAT and Cybertruck So Proud

Unlike its partner and rival, Subaru considers a good day when they have a big novelty like the all-new generation Forester compact crossover SUV lined up for the Los Angeles Auto Show reveal, and two new versions of popular models (WRX TR and BRZ tS) lined up for the arrival next spring. But maybe that's still not enough because Subie does have a massive cult following among automotive enthusiasts?

No worries, as the rumor mill is much obliged to dig up what's next for the carmaker. After that, it's also time for the imaginative realm of digital car content creators to portray some unofficial visions of those all-new and refreshed models, of course. For example, there have been numerous reports about Toyota joining the small party of two (Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz) in the newly reborn American compact pickup truck sector.

Some say the Japanese automaker will simply use the Corolla Cross design and unibody platform to present a rival. In contrast, others go deeper into the mystery and think that Toyota could invest heavily and bring back the beloved Stout nameplate for another stint across the US automotive market. From there and considering Toyota and Subaru's partnerships for the BRZ and GR86 plus bZ4X and Solterra EVs, it was just a little step toward assuming that Subaru could join Toyota in the field of unibody compact pickup trucks.

Again, opinions are split between folks who believe Subaru might look back as far as the BRAT ('Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter') period of 1978 to 1994 for some coupe utility inspiration and others who think it's more logical to assume the four-door Baja (2003-2006) fits better into the current strategy of Maverick and Santa Cruz-fighting pocket-sized trucks. For example, the good folks over at Auto Om TV have allowed their resident pixel master to go wild in terms of AI-assisted design for their portrayal of the Subie Baja.

Unlike other venues who tried to keep the DNA of the original intact and then mix it with contemporary Subie stuff from the crossover SUV family, this series of unofficial renderings go to the extreme both in terms of design and powertrain choice – the styling feels like someone mated the old BRAT with the Cybertruck and these are its AI-designed offsprings while the host explains this modern Baja could go directly to hybrid and all-electric powertrains if it looked like this.

Well, do take all this with a healthy dose of salt because nothing is official from Subaru – let alone a nameplate revival with nothing in common with its predecessor regarding styling and powertrains. However, that doesn't mean it's any less cool, right?