Next Impreza & WRX To Be Completely Different Cars

[tbtstt]

Just seen an article on this on Pistonheads, but they have got their information from a large article over on Motor Trend. I'd say its definately worth a read:

http://www.motortrend.com/future/fut...way/index.html

They have a silly "artists render" on the Motor Trend site (which I'm guessing the final car will look nothing like), but the text makes for very interesting reading. I recommend you read the whole thing, but here are the bits that stood out to me:

Originally Posted by Motor Trend

...the Impreza and famed WRX -- joined at the hip since 1992 -- are going their separate ways.

I know we have kind of seen this already as the current UK WRX and WRX STI no longer wear the Impreza badge, but there is more...

Originally Posted by Motor Trend

...the next WRX will take a completely different path of development and will not surface until 2014

Originally Posted by Motor Trend (Subaru Source)

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

Originally Posted by Motor Trend

From now on, the Impreza will be the company's core model, boasting a fuel-efficient, naturally aspirated 2.0-liter boxer engine. The car's wheelbase has been slightly lengthened, while the A-pillar has been brought forward to maximize interior space and comfort levels

So, sadly, it looks like the Impreza name may go on to represent a very different car, but read on...

Originally Posted by Motor Trend (Subaru Source)

The first thing you must understand about our all-new WRX is that we have developed it from the ground up to win in motorsports events. That's why we have focused so heavily on weight issues, not to mention a shorter wheelbase that permits faster, more precise turn-in. Marry that to our proven AWD system, and we think we have a winner

Originally Posted by Motor Trend

Our source also revealed what is going on in the bowels of Subaru's R&D. On the short list for the WRX’s powerplant is a turbocharged 1.6-liter boxer pumping as much as 270 hp, and a twin-charger system involving a supercharger is being tested as well

Twin charging sounds ambitious, but its interesting reading...

Originally Posted by Motor Trend

The WRX, on the other hand, will employ the very best from Subaru's parts bin, starting with an updated version of the company's rally-proven AWD system and a turbocharged boxer engine

Originally Posted by Motor Trend

The car’s body is rumored to be a little bigger than a Toyota Yaris, while its tread width is said to expand significantly. As for the STI, we are told that the flagship will also employ the WRX’s 1.6-liter boxer turbo, but that the engine will be reworked to generate upwards of 300 hp for motorsport competitiveness

A 1.6T? That would align rather nicely with the 1.6L engine requirement for the WRC, wouldn't it?...

Obviously a lot of "ifs" at this stage, but the basic concept really excites me - what does everyone else think?

Sound's good for Subaru. They just need to stop building ugly's & things will turn around for them. I mean they have plenty of suport for there previous models in this country. Just look at all the Scoob forums.

[Anger]

Are you reading this Nige

[Anger]

Ooops thats a yes lol

And here it is the next STI!!!!

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Nige

Sound's good for Subaru. They just need to stop building ugly's & things will turn around for them. I mean they have plenty of suport for there previous models in this country. Just look at all the Scoob forums.

Yes indeed. It was building with motorsport in mind that spawned cars like the Impreza and Evo in the first place, it would be superb to see Subaru building with this sort of logic behind the design again.


PS: Speaking of the Ugly did you see it won another rally title over the weekend (Rally America)? Beat an Evo X to do it as well. Thats such good news I think I might even start a seperate thread for it...

Lets hope that bluff and bravado of the statements materialise into something real for a change. Subaru threatened a couple of times to do something a bit special with "The Ugly" as Nige calls it but never really delivered. With the exception of the "Out of reach to all" Cosworth!

The Hatch has turned into a very good rally car, due to the the wheelbase they mention in the statements. Beating allcomers recently, I just wish they had stuck with the WRC and proved it's worth. That IMHO is the reason the Hatch isn't taken so seriously by the forums.

My only worry about it is, Subaru are heading straight into a different battle, with Citroen & Ford, instead of the old adversory Mitsubishi. Which will leave the "Niges" of this world repeatedly telling us that Mitsubishi eventually saw the Subaru off to fight on a new level. It may be a very good move or could prove to be the undoing of them as a serious motorsport company.

I look forward to watching where this goes

The Mitsy won it the year before. Unfortunately Mitsy have no backing from the factory like Subaru. So last years winner an Evo X owned more or less privately beat the Subaru factory team.
Congrats to Antoine L'Estage / Nathalie Richard for winning the NEFR today and clinching the 2010 Rally America Championship in their EVO X! On a side note, Pastrana blew the motor on his STI on stage 11 of the Forest New England Rally today and DNF'd!

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by worzel

My only worry about it is, Subaru are heading straight into a different battle, with Citroen & Ford, instead of the old adversory Mitsubishi. Which will leave the "Niges" of this world repeatedly telling us that Mitsubishi eventually saw the Subaru off to fight on a new level. It may be a very good move or could prove to be the undoing of them as a serious motorsport company.

True: I can see the argument for that one going either way as I think the basis for such an argument would depend on a number of factors: what sort of car Subaru eventually produce, what sort of car the Evo XI turns out to be...

...as it stands at present neither Ford nor Citroen produce any sort of road car that is designed with motorsport in mind, nor do they produce any car that truly reflects the car that competes in the WRC.

Originally Posted by tbtstt

...as it stands at present neither Ford nor Citroen produce any sort of road car that is designed with motorsport in mind, nor do they produce any car that truly reflects the car that competes in the WRC.

That' i cant get my head around really. Citroen could of made a killing on the back of there rally win's with a look a like. Ford should know better. The Rs is a nice looking piece of kit with the wrong drive train. What a shame.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Nige

That' i cant get my head around really. Citroen could of made a killing on the back of there rally win's with a look a like. Ford should know better. The Rs is a nice looking piece of kit with the wrong drive train. What a shame.

Its the one thing thats always prevented me from getting behind Citroen as a manuafacturer; they've never really acknowleged the success of the rally/rallycross cars with those they produce for the showroom. They are producing that lairy DS3 now which I think is the closest they've ever come to producing a performance Citroen based on the chassis in WRC use.

Although the drivetrain on the Focus RS is the subject of many debates, at least Ford have continued their heritage for road cars that reflect the race cars. I've seen a few rumours of a lairy Fiesta (a Fiesta RS perhaps?), so it seems like a trend they intend to continue as well.

I think exactly the same with Citroen and Ford. Yes ford have got pedigree in Motorsports, as we all know, but both manufactorors are seriously missing a trick by not releasing proper road going versions of their WRC Cars.

I would have to admit that if there was another choice out there (let alone 2) things could be very different if I came to purchase something else in the future. I would be a very happy man to be sat in a 350bhp 4WD Focus RS.

[Scooby_Greg]

Originally Posted by worzel

I would be a very happy man to be sat in a 350bhp 4WD Focus RS.

Unfortunately I can't see it happening again for Ford Worzel. In their latest info I received they say, 'In the future, we’ll continue to move in this direction. In fact, we’re developing a broad range of environmentally advanced technologies: clean diesel engines, small displacement turbo petrol engines, bio fuel-compatible vehicles, electric hybrid, hydrogen internal combustion and fuel cell technologies.'

Its a reall shame. Current owners of ST's and RS's should count themselves very lucky - it's probably an end of an era . Although if they have to produce a certain number if they change the homogolation regulations....

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Scooby_Greg

Although if they have to produce a certain number if they change the homogolation regulations....

Given that the FiA are trying to draw manufacturers back to series like the WRC I can't see that happening (sadly).

[ralliart didz]

ford should do a uptodate mk1 escort (4wd/bubble archs) they would sell like hot cakes