A report out of Japan claims that Subaru
is readying something very special with the next-generation WRX STI and will
look to make it more capable than ever before. It is understood that the
flagship WRX STI will feature a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine with no
less than 400 HP. That is a significant jump up from the 310 HP and 393 Nm of torque of the current car. Interestingly, it is claimed that Subaru
isn’t just moving to an enlarged 2.4-liter engine for more power but also
because the 2.4-liter is said to be more efficient and has better driveability.
These claims come from Japanese
publication Car Sensor and mimic a report from Forbes back in February. In all
likelihood, this potent version of the 2.4-liter engine, which is actually
derived from the engine used by the Ascent, will be mated exclusively to a
six-speed manual transmission that will probably be an updated version of the
gearbox used by the current STI.
Meanwhile, the lesser Subaru WRX is also
expected to use a version of the same 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It
will be detuned but should offer up more than the 268 HP and 349 Nm of the current WRX. It will be available with a six-speed manual and an
upgraded CVT. Horsepower and torque figures aren’t mentioned although Car
Sensor does claim the car’s CVT can’t handle more than 400 Nm. Both
the new WRX and WRX STI will sit on the Subaru Global Platform and feature the
brand’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. The report asserts the new models
will launch in early 2022.
