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In the booming age of electric vehicles, it’s heartwarming to know that some of us still love the old school. We’re talking enthusiasm for rally guns like Subaru’s turbocharged WRX, Mitsubishi Evolution series, and Ford’s Focus RS. Unfortunately, neither the Mitsubishi nor the Ford are yet in production and the Subaru is well into its twilight years.
However, there is hope on the horizon for WRX fans; a whole new model is well under development, and word is that it aims to keep its rally heritage. But will it be as hardcore as before? Let’s peel off the spy camouflage to reveal what’s coming up for 2022.
Constant appearances
Inspired by the 2017 VIZIV Performance Concept, the redesigned WRX brings a sleek yet purposeful look while sharing the same front doors, hood and headlights as the new Levorg wagon. Front-end styling is aggressively dynamic, with “hawk-eye” LED headlamps, a bold trapezoidal grille, and angled wheel arches.
See also: Everything we know about the 2022 Subaru BRZ Coupe
Subaru’s “Dynamic X Solid” design ethic is evident throughout the sculpted sheet metal cladding, particularly around the doors and rear hips. The rear view is much more muscular than any WRX before. It will sport quad exhausts, a large diffuser panel, triangular corner vents and C-clamp taillights connected by a light strip across the trunk.
A nicer place to be
Like other recently launched Subaru models, the upcoming WRX is based on the company’s global Subaru platform, which improves handling, safety and interior packaging. The current car’s rather lackluster interior also makes way for a much more chic layout, with design DNA and content taken from the new Levorg wagon.
A huge 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen interface with very few physical buttons and buttons will accommodate occupants, as will a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and Alcantara and leather-themed accents. sport.
Subaru’s new EyeSight X driver assistance system will also be available. It uses 360 degree detection via radars and cameras with highly defined map data allowing semi-autonomous level 2 driving. As part of this package, it includes intersection assistance to detect frontal cross traffic, a emergency steering assist to help maneuver in an imminent collision and adaptive cruise control linked to GPS.
Harder boxing
The water cooler guess suggests that the turbocharged 2.0-liter FA20F and 2.5-liter EJ units should be replaced with a single engine: a turbocharged 2.4-liter FA24F boxer-four. Used in Ascent three-row, Legacy and Outback SUVs, it produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Revisions to this engine will produce 300 horsepower in the WRX version, while the STI will get a healthy bump at almost 400 horsepower and 361 lb-ft of torque.
Unlike current automotive trends, we expect Subaru will once again offer a six-speed manual transmission in conjunction with the Japanese brand’s well-known symmetrical all-wheel drive system. Unfortunately, no luck for fans who want a dual-clutch or torque converter automatic, as Subaru will once again offer its Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
What’s not on the cards (and we’d love to be wrong) is any form of hybridization, whether it’s a 48-volt mild hybrid, a full hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Without it, it will be difficult to get the WRX into markets such as Europe due to ever tighter CO2 emission rules and stiff penalties for missed emissions targets.
Rivals and reveal
Once upon a time, Mitsubishi’s Evo X was to beat, as was the Focus RS, more recently developed by Ford. So what offers will the next WRX be competing against now? Arguably, and at least for the WRX, that answer comes in the form of Hyundai’s i30N, Honda Civic Type-R, and high-end rivals like Volkswagen Golf R & GTI, Audi S3, Mercedes-AMG A 35 and BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé.
We expect an official reveal before Christmas or early 2021 as a MY2022 offer. Expect the price to start around $ 30,000 for the base WRX.
So what do you think of the WRX’s new look? Share your opinions in the comments below.
Note: Predictive artwork was produced by artist Josh Byrnes of CarScoops and is in no way linked or endorsed by Subaru
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