2015 Subaru WRX and STI details leaked

We've seen a trickle of leaked Subaru WRX info -- including renderings claiming to be official images of the car -- ahead of its debut next week at Los Angeles motor show. The latest reveals the specifications of the sports sedan, broken via pages from Car and Driver magazine and a dealer sheet posted by Jalopnik.

The spec sheet confirms the WRX's 2.5-litre engine has been replaced by its first turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine since 2005, while the STi continues with a 2.5-litre. The 2.0-litre unit is related to the one used in the Forester XT and Subaru BRZ, on this job developing 200kW of power at 5600rpm and 350Nm of torque at 4800rpm, with a 6700rpm redline. 

The outputs are not a huge lift on the current model's 195kW and 343Nm -- and peaks arrive 800rpm and 700rpm later respectively.  But the bigger news is how they're delivered to the WRX's all-wheel drive system: with a six-speed manual replacing the current five-speed, and markets with an automatic getting a CVT. However there's an acceleration penalty, with the new manual WRX getting to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds compared to the current 5.3, and the CVT auto in 6.1.

The manual car's all-wheel drive will have a centre differential with 50:50 default torque split, while the auto gets Subaru's Variable Torque Distribution with 45:55 default front-to-rear split. The new WRX is reportedly also has 41 per cent better torsional rigidity, firmer suspension and bigger brakes and tyres (235/45 17-inch) plus electric power steering.

The 2015 WRX STi is expected to have power pushed up to 227kW or more, with the performance improved by a lighter weight, better aerodynamics and retuned suspension.