New WRX and new engine on the way

[JRodrigues]

At the Fuji 24 Hours Race being held at Fuji Speedway, Subaru suddenly announced the development of a vehicle that seems to be the next WRX and a new horizontally opposed engine. What's more, is it serious to announce a prototype at the Japan Mobility Show in October?

Subaru suddenly announced at the Fuji 24 Hours that it was developing a new car with a new horizontally opposed engine. Detailed specifications have not yet been disclosed, but it is said that it will be a new spec, such as support for "E20", which is also a carbon-neutral fuel.

It was also revealed that a prototype equipped with it will be exhibited at the Japan Mobility Show in October. As far as the teaser image goes, this looks like "WRX", but I'm sure it's true.

In fact, if this isn't WRX, what is!!! I'm tempted to say that, but Subaru is cool these days, so I can't deny any possibility. Subaru's CTO Fujinuki said, "Subaru should not become a commodity."

In the future, the new engine will be used as the basis for product development, including electrification of hybrids and PHVs. In addition, it was announced that it will be equipped with an advanced version of AWD that has been honed in the Super Taikyu field, and the next WRX (!?) It should be one that has not lost its "Subaru-ness" and has achieved environmental friendliness in the new generation as much as possible.

CTO Fujinuki said, "We want to value the customers who dare to choose Subaru, and we will continue to make such cars," and we have high expectations for the development attitude that will continue to value Subaru in the future.

https://bestcarweb.jp/news/scoop/1229733

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[bugatti0628]

Now we wait to see what subaru will show at the tokyo auto show in October. This is just an early prototype, what will the pre-production prototype look like and will it have both ICE and hybrid powertrains. The photo resembles a wide-body hatch. Can't wait for October will there will be more photos to see

[Brahmzy]

In before the disappointment.

[JustyWRC]

Those wide body flares are cladding.

[KC]

Originally Posted by Brahmzy

In before the disappointment.

Samesies

Definitely looks like a hatch with big WRC style wing.

[samagon]

here's hoping for you guys that can't seem to approve the size of the Corolla HB will be presented with a fun Subaru HB.

[fredzy]

Wait I thought Subaru was in a mad dash to get rid of the wrx?

[dwf137]

maybe they're listening to buyers and the failure of the current wrx? going back to the hatch? Hmm...

[Russ_G93]

Hatchback/Hybrid/Square Grille from the Outback. Subaru may kill off its Manual Sales. Hopefully they don't. Thats 2 Billion in Market share gone if they do. Hybrid/EV + Manual = Dead on Arrival

[WRX4US]

Please, oh please, let there be a 5 door.

[Straight6]

Great news! VA and VB were/are so successful, Subaru is not getting rid of the WRX anytime soon.

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by fredzy

Wait I thought Subaru was in a mad dash to get rid of the wrx?

Yes.

This is not that.

I'm sure he will come in to remind everyone of what was said about this generation. Which is clearly needed.

Originally Posted by dwf137

maybe they're listening to buyers and the failure of the current wrx? going back to the hatch? Hmm...

Failure?

It was selling quite fine until all the price increases. Even mad dashes to get the pre-price hiked ones.


But I do hope for a hatch. Preferably both; but, for me, I'd rather a hatch.

[dwf137]

Originally Posted by JustyWRC

Failure?

It was selling quite fine until all the price increases. Even mad dashes to get the pre-price hiked ones.

But I do hope for a hatch. Preferably both; but, for me, I'd rather a hatch.

They sold, but not at advertised price. Until this current generation, I do not recall WRX's selling for several thousand below MSRP, especially here in the PNW where most dealers try to add on a "PNW Market Adjustment" ADM.

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by dwf137

They sold, but not at advertised price. Until this current generation, I do not recall WRX's selling for several thousand below MSRP, especially here in the PNW where most dealers try to add on a "PNW Market Adjustment" ADM.

Until this generation, they weren't priced this high either. Nor released during-ish an economy crushing pandemic. Considering those, it sold quite quite well actually, And discounts were somewhat dependent on region.

[SoDealer]

Originally Posted by dwf137

They sold, but not at advertised price. Until this current generation, I do not recall WRX's selling for several thousand below MSRP, especially here in the PNW where most dealers try to add on a "PNW Market Adjustment" ADM.

You forget the 2008 WRX and $5k off the 2008 STI.

[Gixhost]

Originally Posted by JustyWRC

Until this generation, they weren't priced this high either. Nor released during-ish an economy crushing pandemic. Considering those, it sold quite quite well actually, And discounts were somewhat dependent on region.

This!

[samagon]

Originally Posted by JustyWRC

Until this generation, they weren't priced this high either. Nor released during-ish an economy crushing pandemic. Considering those, it sold quite quite well actually, And discounts were somewhat dependent on region.

with the removal of the STI, Subaru had no choice.

the removal of the STI 'forced' Subaru to have to recoup their costs of development specifically through the WRX, which did not include the STI. so they had to increase the WRX price to account for the lost money they would normally get through the STI.

in other words, historically, having the STI around allowed Subaru to offer the WRX at a lower price point because the costs of development could be spread across the WRX and STI. without a STI to help pay for that development cost, it was all on the WRX and necessitated the costs to be higher. so you bump the MSRP of the base, and make the spread between trims a bit higher... and finally, enter the GT...

it's hard to argue the narrative that the STI ax was sudden and unexpected, which lends to believe that the GT trim was rushed to market to fill the gap left by the STI in a hope to help offset development costs. besides that suspension had probably been designed for the STI and they needed to put it somewhere.

sad really.

[SoDealer]

WRX pricing wasn't related to the STI going away. It was related to penalties. WRX GT was in the lineup while the STI was still expected to exist.

[samagon]

Originally Posted by SoDealer

WRX pricing wasn't related to the STI going away. It was related to penalties. WRX GT was in the lineup while the STI was still expected to exist.

so would the STI and GT been priced the same, or would the STI have been closer to $50k base, and 60k for the top trim?

[dwf137]

Originally Posted by SoDealer

You forget the 2008 WRX and $5k off the 2008 STI.

Okay. But the economic situation in 2008 was drastically different. It required US tax payers to bail out major automobile manufacturers. Discounts were needed to move anything at that point. Our economy right now has a lot of uncertainty, but the stock market hasn't yet had that level of correction.

Oh and the 2008 wrx was the most disappointing WRX up until 2022. Difference is, they fixed it in 2009 instead of just limping it along with huge discounts for another 3+ years.

Originally Posted by JustyWRC

Until this generation, they weren't priced this high either. Nor released during-ish an economy crushing pandemic. Considering those, it sold quite quite well actually, And discounts were somewhat dependent on region.

The car has risen in price roughly along with it's historic peers.

[Russ_G93]

Originally Posted by samagon

so would the STI and GT been priced the same, or would the STI have been closer to $50k base, and 60k for the top trim?

60k is 3.0 GR Supra territory, so the car would have at least needed to compete in some ways at this price point. Would the STI be a 4.0sec to 60 car? Mmm.. perhaps? But I would imagine in 2022 a STI would have cost 39-43k for a Premium, 44-47k for a Limited. Because heres the thing, Cost of Materials. The Car is not equivalent as far as materials used; Compared to the size of an Ascent. Ascents start at 41 and go up to 53k (2025). With the Ascent being the most Heavy in price, the STI would seem to scale similarly as far as being a Boutique/Niche offering. Even with the TS Trim, that Interior doesn't scream: "Im worth more than $44-47,000." On top of that, Saying that an Audi S4 would be a better buy at that price point would be a valid argument. 2023 Audi S4 with about 15kmi floats around 46-48k currently (CA). Those cars at high speeds just glide. So I imagine the car would be just under that S4 Pricing New or Used.

[samagon]

Originally Posted by Russ_G93

60k is 3.0 GR Supra territory, so the car would have at least needed to compete in some ways at this price point. Would the STI be a 4.0sec to 60 car? Mmm.. perhaps? But I would imagine in 2022 a STI would have cost 39-43k for a Premium, 44-47k for a Limited. Because heres the thing, Cost of Materials. The Car is not equivalent as far as materials used; Compared to the size of an Ascent. Ascents start at 41 and go up to 53k (2025). With the Ascent being the most Heavy in price, the STI would seem to scale similarly as far as being a Boutique/Niche offering. Even with the TS Trim, that Interior doesn't scream: "Im worth more than $44-47,000." On top of that, Saying that an Audi S4 would be a better buy at that price point would be a valid argument. 2023 Audi S4 with about 15kmi floats around 46-48k currently (CA). Those cars at high speeds just glide. So I imagine the car would be just under that S4 Pricing New or Used.

this is exactly the point.

either the WRX GT was a car that only existed after Subaru made the choice to cancel the STI, or the STI would have priced itself out of existence, or the WRX GT would have never been bought by anyone because why get that when they can get the STI for the same price?

there's only one scenario of the 3 that makes sense from a smart people making smart decisions perspective, and as much as SoDealer wants to pretend he knows what goes on in the NJ boardroom, his suggestion that the WRX GT would exist next to a STI makes no sense at all.

[SoDealer]

I don't pretend to know. It's a fact. The WRX GT was a part of the lineup with the STI. I know the why, but it's irrelevant. The pricing of the WRX lineup is its own story, and that's separate from the existence of the WRX GT.

[SCRAPPYDO]

Originally Posted by Straight6

Great news! VA and VB were/are so successful, Subaru is not getting rid of the WRX anytime soon.

Better news, VB and VA were such an aesthetic abomination that even a blurry poster is an improvement.

[Z3RO]

So a GR Corrola with a new boxer and AWD?