New Subaru WRX and STI Not Due for Another Three Years

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Even thought Subaru’s new Impreza is already here and riding on the company’s new global platform, an updated WRX appears to be a long way off. In fact, it might be another three years until we see an updated performance sedan from the (mostly) all-wheel-drive automaker.

While the current incarnations of the WRX and its hotter STI variant still provide balanced dynamics and remain well liked by driving enthusiasts, seven years without a significant upgrade is a long time to wait.

Subaru says it’s fine with the powerplants found in the current models and cites their above-average sales figures in the dwindling small car segment to prove that consumers are happy. Subaru Australia’s managing director Colin Christie confirmed a desire for more powerful engines but not the need for one, saying not to expect an updated WRX in Australia until around 2020 — which obviously applies to the rest of the world, too.

“We’d love to have more powerful cars,” Christie told Motoring. “But there’s nothing on the cards. The 1.6 turbocharged Levorg engine does not fit, so Impreza sports models are restricted to pack changes.”

The WRX doesn’t have much in the way of direct competition at the moment, but the STI certainly does. Volkswagen’s Golf R and Ford’s Focus RS are serious contenders, both providing something the Subaru doesn’t. VW adds refinement while Ford serves up brutality, leaving the Subaru somewhere in the middle but otherwise unconcerned. After all, the only car the STI has ever had reason to fear was the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and the earliest hypothetical return for that particular model isn’t until 2023.

That doesn’t mean the STI wouldn’t benefit from an update; it definitely would. But Subaru isn’t known for prioritizing horsepower in any of its production cars.

“From our point of view that engine works perfectly for what the car is designed to do. The revhead in me would love to put high powered turbos in every single car, but the reality is every car has a niche and a role to play,” Christie said.

Subaru plans to bring the hard-edged WRX STI Type RA to North America, but its cold-air intake, forged pistons, upgraded ECU and a high-flow exhaust system only adds five extra ponies. The RA is more about saving weight, suspension upgrades, and being outfitted specifically for track use. It’s also being built in extremely limited numbers, so you’ll never be able to buy one anyway. Instead, you will either have to appreciate the performance sedans Subaru currently has to offer, wait a few years, or look elsewhere for your four-door performance fix.

[Image: Subaru]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Durishin Durishin on Jun 22, 2017

    Well, so much for being worried about my lease ending a YEAR before the new version. I guess I'll be able to safely lease another example of this iteration - albeit with upgraded (safer) infotainment...

  • Forget more power, what I want is an alternate body style. I'd love to have the body of a Levorg with suspension equivalent to a WRX.

  • B-BodyBuick84 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport of course, a 7 seater, 2.4 turbo-diesel I4 BOF SUV with Super-Select 4WD, centre and rear locking diffs standard of course.
  • Corey Lewis Think how dated this 80s design was by 1995!
  • Tassos Jong-iL Communist America Rises!
  • Merc190 A CB7 Accord with the 5 cylinder
  • MRF 95 T-Bird Daihatsu Copen- A fun Kei sized roadster. Equipped with a 660cc three, a five speed manual and a retractable roof it’s all you need. Subaru Levorg wagon-because not everyone needs a lifted Outback.
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