Subaru Viziv Tourer Concept Previews the WRX Wagon We've Been Missing
Subaru has been showcasing the Viziv Performance Concept in an effort to build hype for the next-generation WRX since last fall. The automaker even produced a hardcore STI variant to double down on the concept’s current role. However, a large subset of Subaru enthusiasts only care about one thing: finding out when the WRX wagon will return.
Officially, the WRX wagon died when Subaru made the switch to a stubbier hatchback in 2007. To the chagrin of the platform’s fans, the company eventually stopped offering the performance model as a hatchback, too. North America has been in a tizzy ever since, and enthusiasts seeking an AWD performance hatch have been forced to seek comfort elsewhere. Those days might be coming to a close.
Subaru just unveiled the Viziv Tourer Concept at the Geneva Motor Show, giving us a taste of what might be in 2020.
Like all Viziv concepts, the automaker didn’t have much to say in terms of hardware. Like all new autos from the brand, it adopts Subaru’s Global Platform, symmetrical all-wheel drive, and a four-cylinder boxer engine. At 188 inches in length, the Tourer Concept is quite a bit longer than the current Impreza hatchback. It’s also far wider than the modern WRX, at 76 inches. However, its overall dimensions are the closest to production-ready of any of the Viziv Concept vehicles, and could indicate that Subaru is going with something more rotund when the time finally comes to build the new WRX.
The manufacturer envisions the Tourer as a four-seater. Curious, considering the window tint prohibits any glimpses into the cabin. One would presume the point of a wagon was to provide extra space for people and things when the need arises. But this is still a concept vehicle with shaved door handles and no mirrors to speak of. Plenty of change will occur before the concepts morph into the production WRX.
Still, we really hope Subaru keeps the Viziv’s aggressiveness. The black fender flares and skirting are cool as can be and might be nice additions as part of a performance package Subaru can scrape up some extra coin with. Even without them, the model would still be extremely bold — something akin to the Honda Civic Type R, but with some semblance of respectability still intact.
[Images: Subaru]
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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Those renderings depict the Subaru 30 minutes before last call, the model that hits production will lean more toward 7:00 am the next day.
Everyone keeps saying this is the next WRX but it's the size of an Outback.