Subaru WRX News

In Japan Subaru has reportedly detailed plans to unveil a new prototype at this year’s Japan Mobility Show in October.As reported by Japanese publication Best Car Web, it’s speculated this new prototype will preview a new-generation WRX sports car.Subaru even showed off a shadowy picture of what appears to be this new prototype, as reported by Best Car Web.It looks like a WRX with a bonnet scoop and pronounced front and rear spoilers.This new prototype will also reportedly receive a new horizontally opposed (Boxer or flat) engine.At this stage specifications have not been disclosed, although it will reportedly support E20 carbon-neutral fuel.Subaru also reportedly hinted this new Boxer engine will support electrification, either as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV).Additionally, it’ll come with an “evolved” version of its symmetrical all-wheel-drive system that it has been using in the Super Taikyu Series in Japan.This new prototype will reportedly be used for next year’s Fuji 24 Hours race. Subaru has historically used racing as a testing ground for developing its future technologies and products, much like Toyota.“We want to value customers who choose Subaru,” said Subaru Chief Technology Officer Tetsuo Fujiniki to Best Car Web when translated from Japanese to English.“We will continue to make cars that will help them do so.”At this stage it’s unclear if this new Boxer powertrain will eventually lead to a new WRX STI.The current-generation Subaru WRX was unveiled in 2021 and launched locally during 2022. It’s the first generation to be available without an STI performance flagship.Subaru did however reveal the S210 prototype earlier this year, noting it as the “pinnacle of the STI complete cars”. It’s likely not going to be sold outside of Japan, however.

Subaru has announced a suite of updates for the model year 2025 WRX.Pricing now starts at $48,190 before on-road costs for the WRX AWD manual sedan, up $700 from last year.That still undercuts the likes of the Hyundai i30 N Premium sedan which kicks off at $52,000.In raising the prices, however, Subaru has added new standard safety features across the line-up, including a driver monitoring system that uses facial recognition to assess signs of drowsiness or distraction and caution the driver.A new 'Emergency Driving Stop System' is also now standard across all variants. It autonomously brings the vehicle safely to a stop in instances where the driver is unresponsive.On higher grade tS variants, a larger 12.3-inch digital driver's display is now standard. An analogue unit with a smaller central screen will remain standard for entry-grade and mid-spec variants.The same goes for Recaro front sports seats, which provide eight-way electronic adjustments on the driver’s seat and four-way manual adjustments for the passenger seats on tS.There is red 'WRX' embroidery on the dashboard for the new WRX AWD tS Spec B and AWD tS Sport Lineartronic CVT, while the latter also now carries dark grey alloy wheels.Finally, Subaru has added 'Galaxy Purple Pear' as an additional colour option to replacement from 'Solar Orange Pearl' across all WRX sedan variants.Subaru has sold 415 WRXs to March this year, a modest decline of 16 units, or 3.7 per cent, on the previous year. Overall, Subaru’s sales have fallen 9.4 per cent in the same period.

There’s a new special-edition WRX on the way, but don’t hold your breath STI fans, it’s not the news you were hoping for.

Subaru has previewed a new WRX STI prototype to be sold in a limited run of just 500 units, but is it worthy of the STI badge?Well, that depends on who you ask. According to Subaru, this is a legitimate STI vehicle, hence the ‘STI’ branding. But to a STI purist? Maybe not so much.Dubbed the WRX STI S210, the prototype is based on the WRX S4 STI Sport R EX limited-edition released in 2023 and its 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine welcomes a 19kW/25Nm boost from the standard model’s 202kW/350Nm.That means it matches the WRX STI EJ25 ‘Final Edition’ – the last STI to be sold in Australia – on power, though it's still 32Nm short on torque.The bump in power comes thanks to an upgraded exhaust system, new air intake ducts and a re-tuned ECU unit, which all sounds great, until you factor in one major caveat: a continuously variable transmission replaces the WRX STI’s signature six-speed manual.That’s right, the now gear-less transmission will send less torque to the wheels than previous models.Perhaps that explains why Subaru isn’t marketing this as a global model, with the vast majority of units expected to be sold in Japan – a fellow right-hand drive market.That said, Subaru Australia has expressed interest in the possibility of the the special-edition variant arriving locally, with a Subaru Australia spokesperson telling CarsGuide:“The latest model unveiled by Subaru Technica International (STI) is incredibly exciting and it is a clear indication of Subaru’s dedication to the continued evolution of the STI brand and its rich legacy of performance vehicle engineering.“We are very interested in the possibilities of another S edition model for the Australian market,” the spokesperson said.Other features on the S210 include 19-inch BBS forged-wheels wrapped in 255/35R19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, 18-inch Brembo front disc brakes, electronically-controlled dampers and a Subaru Performance transmission fluid cooler.There’s also an aerodynamic body kit which adds carbon-fibre rear wing, a front lip spoiler, while black and red accents, including on the S210’s unique front grille, adorn the exterior.Inside, there are power-adjustable carbon-fibre Recaro front seats, microsuede and piano black trims, as well as prominent S210 badging.Pricing is unclear, but should it come to Australia it is likely to exceed the $62,440, before on-road costs, price tag of the EJ25 Final Edition.

Subaru has dropped the ball on the WRX STI and its fans deserve better.

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The original cop-magnet has found itself on the other side of the law up north, with Northern Territory Police announcing the addition of the Subaru WRX to their fleet. According to the NT Government, 13 WRXs will join the forces' high-performance vehicle

A 1990s Subaru favourite is back to lead the 2024 WRX range as pricing is confirmed for the Club Spec variant along with changes to other variants.

Subaru's ultra-limited WRX Club Spec grade will return in 2024 - here's what you need to know.

While the TR is specifically designed for the US market and features revised suspension and steering for a sharper drive, as well as more track-focused Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres and beefier brakes, a similar version is all but confirmed for the Australian market.