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New-generation Subaru WRX coming in 2021

There's a chance the new-generation Subaru WRX will be sold with a hybrid engine and CVT auto. Deal breaker?

The Subaru WRX is a performance icon, and like other performance icons - think Clint Eastwood - it’s getting a little long in the tooth in its current generation.

And the current model is set to stick around until 2021 at least, before an all-new version of the WRX arrives in Australia. And that’s if we see it in 2021 - it could blow out to 2022.

Subaru Australia Managing Director, Colin Christie, said at the 2019 Tokyo motor show that the new model will live up to the expectations of WRX and WRX STI fans around the world. But there was little detail to be shared.

“From what we’ve seen, what Subaru will put together is going to be a fantastic product,” said Mr Christie.

Rumours suggest that based on the Levorg Prototype shown at the Tokyo show, the new WRX will use a 1.8-litre four-cylinder boxer turbo engine - in place of the existing 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit, which produces 197kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

There is also speculation that the new model will follow the hybrid path, possibly employing a similar petrol-electric approach as the Forester e-Boxer and XV e-Boxer. Those cars have a CVT transmission-mounted electric motor combined with a 10kW/65Nm 13.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

Mr Christie said that all the details are still to be revealed, and we may have to wait a while for them.

“It’s still a fair way off unfortunately,” said Mr Christie.

“Timing is a bit awkward, and we don’t have an exact date, but certainly not next year (2020). We’re hoping it might be a 2021 issue,” he said.

In the meantime, the facelifted Subaru Impreza hatch and sedan range is confirmed to arrive early in 2020, while the all-new Subaru Outback should arrive late in 2020.

Matt Campbell
Managing Editor - Head of Video
Matt Campbell has been at the forefront of automotive media for more than a decade, working not only on car reviews and news, but also helping manage automotive outputs across print, online, video and audio. After completing his media degree at Macquarie University, Matt was an intern at a major news organisation as part of the motoring team, where he honed his skills in the online automotive reviews and news space. He did such a good job there they put him on full time, and since then he has worked across different automotive media outlets, before starting with CarsGuide in October 2017. At CarsGuide Matt has helped shape the video output of the business, while also playing a key role in management behind the scenes, and helping in-market new car buyers make the right choice by continually evolving CarsGuide's comparison reviews. Driving more than 100 cars a year seemed like a dream to Matt when he first started out, but now it's all just part of the job - a job he loves and plans to stay in for a long time to come. Matt is also an expert in used car values, as he's always on the hunt for a bargain - be it a project beater or a prime example of the breed. He currently owns a 2001 Audi TT quattro and a 2007 Suzuki Jimny JLX.
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