Could the wagon’s engine power next WRX?
The Levorg has been sold in Japan by Subaru for six years. It’s not surprising that the wagon will soon enter its second generation. A prototype of the updated long-roof model will be shown at the Tokyo Motor Show. However, the final production car should look almost identical once it goes on sale in Japan in the second half 2020.
Although you might think this is a simple facelift to the current model, the design hasn’t changed much. Subaru calls the Levorg an all-new vehicle. It rides on the Subaru Global Platform, which was introduced in 2017 on the Impreza. Since then, it has been used to support other models such as the Legacy / Outback or the Levorg.
Subaru hasn’t yet made interior photos, as evidenced by the blacked out windows. Some of the tech onboard is known, including a new version of the EyeSight suit safety systems. It relies on four radars and wide-angle stereo cameras to provide 360-degree views.
Subie also promises to provide the most up-to-date assistance systems, which will be combined with a high definition navigation map that can better see what’s ahead, reduce speed when needed, and allow for hands-free traffic in stop-and-go traffic.
All these improvements sound fantastic, but we are more curious to know what is happening under the hood. Subaru claims it has installed a new turbocharged boxer engine. This horizontally oriented four-cylinder engine has a displacement of 1.8 liters and is able to benefit from both direct-injection and lean-burn technology. Although we don’t know the power output, the company claims it allows the wagon to achieve a balance between efficiency and performance while also providing strong torque.
It is yet to be determined if this engine will also power next-gen WRX. This engine currently has 268 horsepower in the standard version and 310 horsepower in STI. The limited-run STI S209 special edition, which costs $65,000 and has 341 horsepower, is also available. Subaru Tecnica International has produced a number of performance versions of the JDM-spec Levorg, including an STI Sports earlier in the year with almost 300 horses.