Upcoming Subaru model launches leaked
Friday, 14 August 2020
A leaked image of a roadmap indicating the models Subaru will offer until 2024 has leaked online and it’s good news for enthusiasts.
While no specific details can be gleaned from the image, it shows the next-generation BRZ is on track for a 2021 launch. The picture looks to be American in origin, with the BRZ’s “spring” launch placed in the first half of the 2021 bar.
Recent rumours have linked the new sports coupe with Subaru’s 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four, which could make as much as 200kW/400Nm.
The same engine will reportedly power the next-generation WRX, due later in 2021. We’d expect outputs to differ between the BRZ and WRX, with the latter offering around the 225kW mark.
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Finally, the full-fat STI is due late in 2022 or early 2023. Being the cream of the crop, expect this to push outputs up to 298kW/490Nm, which would put it right up against the likes of the Toyota Supra and Nissan’s new Z car, potentially badged ‘400Z’.
Switching engines from the current 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre powerplants will give Subaru better emissions figures owing to a newer engine design while retaining the driveability of more displacement. As well as the bump in power, of course.
As for transmissions, the six-speed manual will reportedly soldier on (at least in Japan) but Car Sensor said earlier this year that the existing CVT is only rated at up to 400Nm of twist. What Subaru will do with it remains to be seen. Toyota is offering input into the hi-po models so Subaru may be looking into taking one of the larger brand’s automatics, like the eight-speeder found in the Lexus LX 570.
Moving on, the timeline indicates there will be ‘Wilderness’ variants of the Forester and Outback coming next year, which look to be North American models oriented more towards off-roading, as well as something called Forester “BMC”. Legacy, Outback and Ascent (Subaru’s North American large SUV) also get BMC versions halfway through 2022.
BMC might indicate a new model generation, as the Impreza and Crosstrek (XV for us) get FMC suffixes in 2023.
Finally, Subaru’s first EV is pencilled in for a 2022 launch. The SUV will ride on an all-new electric platform developed with Toyota. It reportedly will be called Evoltis, though the name isn’t present in the slide which is interesting. Expect AWD, an electric powertrain offering around 213kW and range of up to 500km.