2014 Subaru WRX to break away from Impreza

By Tim Beissmann | July 18th, 2011

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The all-new Subaru WRX could still be three years away, with the completely redesigned model expected to launch in 2014.

(rendering from Motor Trend)

As we reported earlier this year, Subaru will separate the WRX model from the Subaru Impreza range, with the WRX and WRX STI expected to become models in their own right.

Subaru president Ikuo Mori gave confirmation of a new halo model at a recent shareholder’s meeting.

“We will launch a new sporty car in 2014,” Mr Mori said.

According to a Subaru insider who spoke with Motor Trend, the new Subaru WRX will be a very different car to the Impreza.

“Apart from a few nuts and bolts, every part on the WRX will be unique, even the engine and body. Obviously the WRX’s platform will be inherited from the new Impreza, but it will be radically modified and significantly shortened.”

(rendering from World Car Fans)

The source said the new model has been designed with the aim of dominating the world rally circuit.

“The first thing you must understand about our all-new WRX is that we have developed it from the ground up to win in motorsports events. That’s why we have focused so heavily on weight issues, not to mention a shorter wheelbase that permits faster, more precise turn-in.

“Marry that to our proven AWD system, and we think we have a winner.”

Engine details are yet to be locked in, but Subaru is reportedly considering a turbocharged and supercharged 1.6-litre engine with around 200kW of power.

What do you think? Is it a good move to separate WRX from Impreza? Do you think a shorter platform is the way to go? And can you wait until 2014 to get your hands on one? Let us know in the comments section below.

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charger

I think its a great idea they Just need to make it look good! Capture the great Bang for your Buck that the orginal GC8 Had and get back into the WRC and push the brand again! Nothing was better than watching Colin, Possum, Solberg, Juha rallying the WRX/WRC Cars!
ab

So it this what subaru plans for its version of toyotas ft86?
- zahmad
  
  I believe this could be it….
  All performance models now based on the Toyabaru platform. This way, Subaru australia doesn’t have to worry about the conflicting range
davie

Subaru has a proud history of two things:

1 – “dominating the world rally circuit”

2 – simply awful obsolete 4-speed automatic transmissions

I can’t wait to see how the new engine mates with subaru’s advanced 4-speed automatic technology.
- Phil
  
  Here’s an exercise for ya.. Go to Subaru and see if they’ll sell you a 4 speed auto WRX.
Roadtard

It’s a bit like GT-R breaking away from Skyline. I’m expecting something super fast and super ugly.
- Phil
  
  I can forgive super ugly so long as it’s super fast
Dave S

I still dont get why Subaru would spends years promoting a Halo model like the WRX Impreza, only to then separate the 2 and leave the impreza rage without a halo model.

Who will want the impreza now, when it looses its connection to the WRX?
ian

Makes sense. I am sure its diffcult to design a car which is both appealing to Grandad & nana in low spec form (Boring and plain) ..and appeal to enthusiast in sportier specs. I think Subura have got it right in the last two models for the lower specs.
Showtime

I wish Colin McRae was alive to help Subaru make their return to WRC.
- Yeti Man
  
  No need, the name WRX is synonymous to rally success.
  - CRS200
    
    That rally success is now 15 years ago?
    
    Subaru have allot of catching up to do in the WRC, the first step is to sign up Sebastien Loeb, the man is unbeatable regardless what he drives.
    
    Then setup up a good team let’s no forget car makers like Ford, Citroen, Skoda, VW, Renault.
    
    But great news to see Subaru officially back in WRC.
IfItAintARotorItAintAMotor

So when Subaru launched the hatch-style Impreza they said it was to help with rally, then they stopped rallying. So can we have a normal sedan Impreza again? Reading the article, all I could think was ‘Christ I hope it doesn’t look like either of those renderings’. But its Subaru, so I’m not hopeful…
- Devil’s Advocate
  
  There still is a “normal sedan” Impreza available…
Brett

Significantly shorter hey? The Rex is a great car for the poor guy who has young family, that wants something quick, but doesn’t want a large car. It fits the bill perfectly. So, if they make it significantly shorter, there goes that idea. Subaru got the formular so right when it first released the Rex all those years ago. Is someone, since then, in the company deliberately trying to pull the company under?
- Yeti Man
  
  If I have a family, I would have bought the Liberty GT
  - Sunny
    
    and that’s exactly what I did.. not that fugly gen 5 but Gen 4 GT spec B
- Flying High
  
  Yes the Liberty GT is OK. But it is no STi. If you have a normal family car and need another smaller car with some get up and go for the occasional time you need to also lug acouple of kids around, the STi is the far better choice. imo.
D

I agree with Brett, a performance 4 door car with a reasonable boot is a big part of the appeal for me now with kids in tow….
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1435885244 Yani Hendriawan

that yellow one looks pretty cool but the blue one, the side grill on the front are too big
- Vince
  
  If the new WRX/Sti look like the yellow rendering.. I will eat my keyboard. I promise Subaru will make it bad… again… as always. The Poo.. I mean Blue one is more likely.
j

separate model, different body work… I don’t think the Fuji Heavy/Toyota bean counters will be happy with this.

Worst case scenario, development costs blow out, they fail to achieve return on investment, and they kill it off entirely. Or the price of the WRX goes up?

I thought the whole appeal of it was, apart from being a rally beast, was that it was also a practical sedan (and now a hatch)
Back Packer

What about a Turbo Impreza GT to fill the gap between base & WRX, and provide some space for those who the Liberty GT is too big?
I feel a turbo AWD hatch & sedan may sell well.
qikturbo

Why should every sports car that a manufacturer develops, have the family man(or woman)with kids in mind..and why should every sports car be an all rounder?
Subaru seems to want to make something of a special sports car with high performance credentials without watering it down with 4 doors,a big boot,soft rolly polly suspension,average performance and “large”overall size!
If people want to buy an all rounder masquerading as a quasi-sports car,they can buy a Golf GTI!
Samr

I bet it will be ugly but go like stink.
Al Juraj

I think Impreza sales will suffer as a result of this. The range will not rack up nearly as many buyers as, let’s a say, the Mazda3. At least with WRX and STi versions, owners of lesser models have some sort of rallying impression behind them. The Golfs GTi and R, as well as the Lancers Ralliart and Evo, have worked quite nicely, so I just can’t figure why the go-fast Subarus will have to be separated.

Now there won’t be a reason to include the Impreza in your shortlist.

Also, 2014 is just too long a wait, and not worth it if the WRX lacks a sixth gear again.
- Rex
  
  I think it will be almost a given that a new sports model launched in 2014 will be packing a double clutch gearbox with at least 7 gears. Unless they bring out some magical celery/goblin hybrid transmission in the interim.
- Flying High
  
  I think it is an absolute furphy that anyone buying a lowly Impreza is thinking “hey this is just like a WRX. only slower”. Just like I doubt anyone who buys a BMW 325 diesel is thinking, “hey this is just like an M3, only slower”.
  
  No in fact I think it is the other way around, and that is hurting the sales. The STi owner is thinking, “well deep down i know that this really is just a lowly Impreza, with the same sh!tty interior, but just faster and better handling. That is why I am paying three times the price”.
  
  And then other *potential* STi owners think the same thing, but dont buy, simply because it is linked to a crappy run of the mill Impreza.
  
  This is the best thing Subaru have done for WRX / STi. Keep them as a separate model line up. The Subaru brand still have a halo car, without linking it to a run of the mill model.
  - Steve Dotto
    
    I agree with many of the comments posted above. Subaru hasn’t been known for sexy body lines and a polished final product. No one buys an STI or WRX because it is a beautiful car, but then again it would be nice to look at the car you just spent a years salary on and not want to slap your sister. Perhaps Subaru finally got the message from all the rants and decided to build a new model that is more in line with what enthusiasts crave from a car that was “built for rallying”. The last gen looked way to common to justify calling it a rally car. It was bigger than previous models, heavy, and looked like a turbocharged Saturn L200 with a hood scoop. With any luck Subaru sent their previous designers to the unemployment line and will be making a car that will perform as a true rally car should.
FUBAR

that yellow beast is WICKED! id Have on in a heart beat……….. minus the Spoiler……..
Jay_maultsby

I sure do hope they are really serious about building it!
Jay_maultsby

Please, please, please build that coupe! If they build it, I will buy it! . . .
Jay_maultsby

Please, please, please build that coupe! If they build it, I will gladly buy it! . . .