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]
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- Bd2 Other way around.Giorgetto Giugiaro penned the Pony Coupe during the early 1970s and later used its wedge shape as the basis for the M1 and then the DMC-12.The 3G Supra was just one of many Japanese coupes to adopt the wedge shape (actually was one of the later ones).The Mitsubishi Starion, Nissan 300ZX, etc.
- Tassos I also want one of the idiots who support the ban to explain to me how it will work.Suppose sometime (2035 or later) you cannot buy a new ICE vehicle in the UK.Q1: Will this lead to a ICE fleet resembling that of CUBA, with 100 year old '56 Chevys eventually? (in that case, just calculate the horrible extra pollution due to keeping 100 year old cars on the road)Q2: Will people be able to buy PARTS for their old cars FOREVER?Q3: Will people be allowed to jump across the Channel and buy a nice ICE in France, Germany (who makes the best cars anyway), or any place else that still sells them, and then use it in the UK?
- Tassos Bans are ridiculous and undemocratic and smell of Middle Ages and the Inquisition. Even 2035 is hardly any better than 2030.The ALMIGHTY CONSUMER should decide, not... CARB, preferably WITHOUT the Government messing with the playing field.And if the usual clueless idiots read this and offer the tired "But Government subsidizes the oil industry too", will they EVER learn that those MINISCULE (compared to the TRILLIONS of $ size of this industry) subsidies were designed to help the SMALL Oil producers defend themselves against the "Big Oil" multinationals. Ask ANY major Oil co CEO and he will gladly tell you that you can take those tiny subsidies and shove them.
- Dusterdude The suppliers can ask for concessions, but I wouldn’t hold my breath . With the UAW they are ultimately bound to negotiate with them. However, with suppliers , they could always find another supplier ( which in some cases would be difficult, but not impossible)
- AMcA Phoenix. Awful. The roads are huge and wide, with dedicated lanes for turning, always. Requires no attention to what you're doing. The roads are idiot proofed, so all the idiots drive - they have no choice, because everything is so spread out.
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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.