Orange is the new World Rally Blue.
Soon, the new Subaru WRX will be available. Subaru has posted a teaser video to social media confirming this. Subaru had previously said that the dust would settle at the New York Auto Show on August 19. However, with the show cancelled and the latest teaser merely saying coming soon we suspect the wait may be longer.
The latest teaser has more substance than the previous one. The article’s top photo shows a new, high-resolution image. Although the majority of the rally driver is still covered in dust, it’s easy to see how conservative Subaru is going. The current model’s low roofline and windows don’t change much. Although the WRX is identified by the up-kink rear window into the C-pillar, it would not be easy to identify the model as a new one from this teaser image.
The video is the same, even though most of the model’s features are not obscured by dust. Although the footage was taken from a distance, it is difficult to see every detail. The exception is the moment when the car passes right in front of the camera. You can see the entire side, but it is blurred if you hit pause at just the right moment. The prominent vertical lines between the front fenders can be seen gone. This gives the new WRX a smoother side that is almost devoid of character. Subaru has gone full sleeper with the next-generation fun machine.
A teaser video also shows something that will make rowing-your-own enthusiasts very happy. Quick cuts show a manual transmission in Subaru’s new WRX. It’s most likely paired with Subaru’s FA24 2.4 liter turbocharged flat four. The engine is the same one you will find in Subie models, generating 260 horsepower (194kilowatts), but we are surprised if it doesn’t produce at least 300 horsepower for the new Rex. This leaves ample room for a 400hp (298-kW), WRX STI to come later, as rumors suggest.
We were intrigued by rumors and reached out to Subaru for a revised timeframe. Although we have yet to hear from Subaru, rumors suggest that it will be available in September. As soon as we have more information, we will update you.