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Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 5:13 pm
by Sabre
Torque Report
Subaru unveiled the next-generation 2012 Subaru Impreza at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, but did not unveil the WRX version of the new model. According to the latest sources, the reason we haven't seen the next WRX is because Subaru is planning on separating the WRX from the compact Impreza.
A source recently spoke to Motor Trend and said, "Apart from a few nuts and bolts, every part on the WRX will be unique. Even the engine and body. Obviously the WRX's platform will be inherited from the new Impreza, but it will be radically modified and significantly shortened."
The past generation Impreza and WRX models shared many common parts, which drove up the cost of the Impreza, Subaru's entry-level model. For the next WRX, Subaru is developing it from the ground up to win in motorsports events and will use an updated version of Subaru's all-wheel-drive system and a turbocharged boxer engine.
Motor Trend's source claims that the next WRX will be powered by a turbocharged 1.6L boxer engine with around 270 horsepower, while the STI version will put out around 300 horsepower from the same 1.6L engine. The WRX will use a heavily modified version of the Impreza's platform, but it will be significantly shortened.
Unfortunately the next WRX is not coming until around 2014.
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:56 pm
by ElZorro
Thats gotta be a typo... 1.6L??!?
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:03 pm
by PGT
yeah....to meet the FIA S2000 specs for WRC.
MINI makes a conservative 214bhp from its 1.6L JCW model. Turn up the boost a bit and it will put down 30-40hp more with no problem.
Hell....look at the supercharged Triton based 1.6L in my old MINI. It put down 240whp...about 270 at the crank. big valve cylinder head, slightly smaller pulley and long tube headers. There are guys pulling the Eaton M45 off that motor and putting Rotrex blowers on and they're getting about 280whp.
1.6L and 270-300hp isn't as crazy as it seems if you consider forced induction, direct injection and proper management of IAT's through clever packaging.
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:05 am
by HappyIdiot
Nothing to add other than, Holy Crap and goodbye torque.
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:44 am
by complacent
HappyIdiot wrote:Nothing to add other than, Holy Crap and goodbye torque.
i'm going to be cautiously optimistic about this.
anything to make our piggies lighter has to be a good thing.
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:48 am
by HappyIdiot
complacent wrote:
i'm going to be cautiously optimistic about this.
anything to make our piggies lighter has to be a good thing.
That is a good way to look at it. If anything, it will allow Subaru to meet the gas regulation requirements.
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:14 am
by Sabre
If they drop 50lbs from this, I'll be shocked. But, as you said, anything helps!
Another interesting tid-bit: 270 vs 300 for the WRX/STI? Them be getting mighty close to warrant the extra $$$. Even now it's hard to justify the price difference. The STI 6SPD is pretty
though.
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:00 am
by thermobox
The current Subaru 1.5l makes 107hp and 106lb. The current EJ20 makes 300-320hp and 300-311lb.
If you turbo a 1.6l, it doesn't seem far fetched to make big numbers. I will be very surprised if any of this comes to fruition though.
Why the change now? Why didn't they change back in 08-09 for the WRC? This doesn't really seem like it is a competition driven evolution. It seems more like an eco, mileage, technology evolution. Much like the new Impreza going back to a 2.0l. Maybe this will all get wrapped up into a nice FTish package?
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 4:11 pm
by boomee
I JUST NEARLY FAINTED WTH?????????
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 8:06 am
by chicken n waffles
complacent wrote:HappyIdiot wrote:Nothing to add other than, Holy Crap and goodbye torque.
i'm going to be cautiously optimistic about this.
anything to make our piggies lighter has to be a good thing.
perhaps this means subaru will take a stab at the notorious understeer.
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 10:26 am
by Sabre
That is built in on purpose. Most cars are built that way actually. People consider it "safer", although I've never understood that. A rear sway takes care of that in a hurry!
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 10:36 am
by PGT
the contention that a 1.6L can't produce torque is false. With modern turbos, high compression motors and direct injection....you have a powerful coctail
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:13 am
by Mr Kleen
Anything is possible I guess. It will be interesting to see where this goes.
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 3:24 pm
by boomee
yeah after initial shock wait and see method is the most mature and appropriate
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 3:59 am
by Mr Kleen
boomee wrote:Yeah, after initial shock a wait and see method is the most mature and appropriate.
And don't forget to ignore any and all renders of the future WRX.
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:39 pm
by RFBurn
boomee wrote:yeah after initial shock wait and see method is the most mature and appropriate
2014 is a LONG time to wait! hard to believe that they will not produce a new version for over two years...
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:04 pm
by Raven
Some how I get the feeling the WRX is about to get a whole lot more expensive.
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 2:51 pm
by Mr Kleen
If they spend the extra cash on the interior I wouldn't mind.
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:40 am
by HappyIdiot
Mr Kleen wrote:If they spend the extra cash on the interior I wouldn't mind.
Or paint.
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:00 am
by drwrx
I suspect that the reason we are not going to see an updated WRX/STi update until 2014 is because the entire platform may be moving to a modified FT-86 chassis.
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:20 am
by Sabre
I really hope so. Sounds like it's lighter and stronger. Best of both worlds! I can has cake?
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 2:53 pm
by Mr Kleen
Subaru has stated several times that the FT86 chassis isn't designed for AWD, and I wouldn't underestimate Subaru's ability to confound their enthusiast fans.
/sadpanda
Re: Next-Gen Subaru WRX to Drop Impreza Name
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:38 pm
by complacent
HappyIdiot wrote:Mr Kleen wrote:If they spend the extra cash on the interior I wouldn't mind.
Or paint.
zomg this.