Subaru has put the launch of its next rally-inspired rocket on hold, but it’s ramped up its teaser campaign.
The new Subaru WRX has been teased again, this time revealing it’ll still have a manual transmission and a manual handbrake. Rejoice, yobs.
The latest teaser is a bit more revealing than those before it, with a couple of very quick pan shots of an undisguised car revealing it’s likely to look a lot like the Viziv Performance Concept revealed in 2017.
It’ll have a bonnet scoop, pumped up rear guards, and what look like tail lights that share a bit with the 2022 BRZ.
Unfortunately we’ll have to wait a little longer to see the redesigned 2022 Subaru WRX.
Carscoops reports the cancellation of the 2021 New York motor show has derailed Subaru’s plans for a physical reveal of both the WRX and another member of its more off-road focused Wilderness family.
“We have not confirmed when information about WRX or the next Wilderness model will be released due to the cancellation of NYIAS,” a Subaru spokesperson told Carscoops.
The reveal of the WRX and the Wilderness model – likely to be based on the Forester – was set for August 19.
The 2021 New York motor show was officially cancelled on August 4, after having been postponed from its usual slot in April due to COVID-19.
Subaru had already released teasers leading up to the aborted debut.
It was set to be one of the more high-profile debuts this year, with the New York motor show also set to be the backdrop for the unveiling of the production-spec Nissan Z and the Hyundai i30 Sedan N.
Local launch timing has yet to be confirmed, but the new WRX is expected to arrive locally in early 2022.
It was originally expected to arrive at the end of 2021, alongside the redesigned BRZ, but you can blame COVID-19-related delays.
The teasers don’t betray much about the WRX’s looks, other than it’s an evolution of the current model’s design.
It also appears to borrow some elements, like the upkick of the beltline at the C-pillar, from the 2017 Viziv Performance Concept. Subaru concepts, however, have a habit of becoming much more conservative in the transition to production.
Bigger changes are expected under the skin, with the WRX expected to move to the Subaru Global Platform that underpins the current Impreza and XV, among other models.
It will reportedly upgrade to a version of the turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four offered in the North American Ascent SUV.
While the Ascent produces 190kW of power and 376Nm of torque, the WRX’s application of the 2.4-litre will reportedly pump out upwards of 213kW.
The current WRX produces 197kW of power and 350Nm of torque in standard guise, with the STI amping that up to 221kW of power and 407Nm of torque.
Both models come with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, though the regular WRX has an optional continuously-variable transmission.
The new WRX’s list of safety and driver assistance equipment is expected to mirror that of the redesigned Levorg.
In the standard EyeSight safety suite is autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition.
Other available features include a digital rear-view mirror, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and emergency lane-keeping assistance.
The new Levorg’s available EyeSight X package includes a hands-off driving mode for traffic jam assistance, as well as the ability to automatically slow down for toll booths and curves.
Recently redesigned Subaru products like the Levorg and Outback have also added a portrait-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which could make its way to the WRX.
Subaru is about to embark on a substantial overhaul of its performance range, with the new BRZ due before the end of 2022 and the new WRX and a more performance-focused Levorg set to arrive in early 2022.
MORE: Everything Subaru WRX
