WRX 2014 Subaru WRX

[Levi68]

All-New Suabru WRX: What to expect?

After its recently revealed "Motion V" program was announced late last year, Subaru bosses arranged a special briefing for potential investors. At that meeting, senior staffers laid out a road map of what models and new technologies would be unveiled up to 2015.

It started with the all-new Impreza of last year, the BRZ and Forester which will go on sale this year, the Exiga minivan in 2013, the all-new WRX (which will diverge from the Impreza platform) and a brand new sport wagon for 2014, and the all-new Legacy in 2015.

Of note on the technology side is a new direct injection turbocharged engine slated for introduction by the end of this year. And that's just part of Subaru's powertrain plans. According to a source close to Subaru, the company is currently working on a three-stage plan:

Stage 1 (completed) - Direct injection 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer incorporating Toyota's DS-4 technology for the BRZ
Stage 2 - Direct injection turbocharged variant of the FA20 2.0-liter
Stage 3 - High-powered four-cylinder turbo boxer for the next generation WRX. While the final engine capacity has not been decided yet, the consensus inside Subaru is leaning towards downsizing and tweaking the BRZ's FA20 2.0-liter unit into a 1.6-liter turbo featuring new lean-burn technology.

This is where the story gets interesting. We hear the turbo destined for production later this year and the one being developed for the WRX are two different beasts. That is to say that the WRX, which is expected to return in three-door hatchback and sedan forms (check out our CG image to see how one artist visualizes the hatch), is rumored to employ a turbo with some form of electric device. This has been a while coming as Subaru took out a patent on an electrically-operated turbo back in 2007.

While the internals are still secret, our source did mention that the new turbo would use heat energy from exhaust gases to generate the necessary electricity. That means that the new turbo will do away with the complicated piping prevalent in current turbos. This new system will generate greatly improved energy efficiency which will in turn basically eradicate turbo lag. Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda have all dabbled with electric turbos, but Subaru could be the first to bring the idea to production.

Whether the WRX will stage a comeback to the WRC is undecided, but Subaru did say that we can expect to see the car in competitive events from road racing to rallying.

 

[Giannis]

It looks like a two door Focus of the previous generation...

 

[Zonda]

Front is totally Volvo

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

That rendering makes me sad. It looks like a toy.

 

[martinbo]

It's a terribly unprofessional rendering and a not-too-informative piece of writing that mixes obvious facts together with total conjecture.

 

[Levi68]

2014 Subaru WRX caught hot-weather testing in the States

Few mainstream hot hatches have tugged as many heartstrings in the last decade or so than the Subaru WRX. From its turbocharged four-cylinder heart to the traction of its all-wheel-drive footprint, Rex has been the benchmark by which others are judged since its debut in the States as a 2002 model. Suffice it to say that the next WRX, due in 2014, has mighty big shoes to fill.

Judging by the spy photos you see above, those shoes will be planted under bodywork that's not particularly different from that of the standard Impreza. We'd be lying if we said we weren't hoping for a bit more pizazz from this fourth-gen WRX, but most of its tepid styling – assuming these images are indeed indicative of the 2014 WRX – would be forgiven if the machine boasts more turbocharged performance than ever before.

As you can see, Subaru's engineering team brought along a current third-gen WRX hatchback for testing alongside the new model, and a brief comparison shows how much more restrained the styling of the latest Impreza is when compared to its forebear. We also note what appears to be an intercooler sticking further up into the hood scoop than the third-gen model, which could mean a turbocharged version of Subie's new FA engine is underhood. We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, peruse the images above and carry on speculating.

2014 Subaru WRX caught hot-weather testing in the States

 

[JHF]

Subaru WRX 2014.

 

[Monster]

Leaked photos of the wrx concept car, a great looking Subaru at last with a few deign clues from the Nissan GTR and the Evo X. I highly doubt the ultra low roof line will make it to the production version, this looks like the WRX version of the Impreza concept car from 2 years ago.

Subaru WRX concept leaked | CarAdvice

 

[Levi68]

Waiting for pics from the show. Audi only released the A3 Sedan, and here is the next WRX. If it looks anything like this, its a winner. But I doubt, BRZ STI Concept was a winner, BRZ less so.

 

[Sayyaaf]

I am holding my horses !!

Looks like a Holden somehow but its a Subbbbbbbbby, must be boxer and better.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Now that looks fantastic!

 

[martinbo]

Ha! If it ends up looking anything remotely like that I'll eat my WRX STI hat! Front overhang is waaay to short to house a Boxer engine ahead of the front axle in there. Unless they've embarked upon a fundamental shift in mechanical packaging.

That said, it does look rather terrific. Looks like I may have to hang on to the old girl for a while longer.

 

[LaArtist]

Amazing..its about time Subaru made a good looking car..

 

[Giannis]

I like it. I can't picture myself with one, but I like it. So Subaru wants to diversify the WRX models, from the regular Impreza and co?

 

[Levi68]

I like it. I can't picture myself with one, but I like it. So Subaru wants to diversify the WRX models, from the regular Impreza and co?

Yes, like Nissan did with the Skyline and the GT-R. I like. Looks like a potent Lancer EVO rival, and could eat Audi RS3 Sedans.

 

[Giannis]

Looks like a potent Lancer EVO rival, and could eat Audi RS3 Sedans.

Hmm, add this post to the ones where you talk about Lexus, that has me worried about what are you doing in German Car Forum?

 

[Levi68]

Hmm, add this post to the ones where you talk about Lexus, that has me worried about what are you doing in German Car Forum?

Why? I like german cars: Audi RS, BMW M, Mercedes AMG, Porsche. Are there any other?

 

[JHF]

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/subaru-wrx-concept-new-york-2013/

 

[Merc1]

WOW. Martin is going to pass out. Look at that, a Subaru?

M

 

[JHF]

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