2015 Subaru WRX / STI

A spokesperson at Subaru of America just confirmed that the next generation Subaru WRX will receive a turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four engine with a targeted output of 270 horsepower. This engine will be a turbocharged variant of the FA20 engine found in the recently-released 2013 Subaru BRZ we just drove in Japan. Although half a liter smaller in displacement than the current WRX’s 2.5-liter 265-horsepower engine, it looks as though the all new FA20 will make slightly more power. The FA20 turbo is a return to the car’s roots, of sorts; when the WRX made its American debut in 2001, it had a 2.0-liter turbo flat-four under the hood.

Why the downsizing? We can only assume fuel economy has something to do with it. The current WRX manages 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway on the EPA cycle. Subaru recently announced the naturally aspirated FA20 should achieve 30 mpg highway.

The announcement of this new engine is also in line with statements the company made at the launch of the 2012 Impreza sedan and 5-door, the vehicle upon which the WRX should be based. At that time, Subaru said that it was planning for greater separation between Impreza and WRX models. Currently the Impreza uses a 2.0-liter flat four from the FB family of engines found in the Forester SUV and other models. This engine does not feature the same compact dimensions, 86 mm x 86 mm bore and stroke, or complex D4S port/direct injection technology as the FA20 engine.

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KAT_Ayanami said:

I cant believe it.... the STI will be based on this model impreza.... which is even taller, and has a longer wheelbase......

WTF......

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We already know that Subaru plans to market the next generation of the WRX and WRX STI as standalone vehicles, allowing the go-fast models to move upmarket. We are now back on the subject, as Subaru is deciding the fate of the models these days.

As for what’s under the hood, the vehicles could use a refreshed, turbocharged version of the naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter engine, with earlier reports indicating a hp rating of 300. Subaru could also introduce a CVT gearbox - a less than desirable move, if you ask us - as the carmaker’s CVT has recently been adapted to handle the torque of diesel engines, so it could face this challenge.

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Subaru’s performance hero could pioneer ground-breaking turbo technology.

A ground-breaking new electrically-powered turbocharger could feature on the next edition of Subaru's hero performance car, the WRX, when it finally arrives towards the end of next year.

Respected US website motortrend.com says Subaru took out a patent on an electrically-operated turbo in 2007. An unnamed source has told the website that Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, is working to trap heat energy from exhaust gases, generating electricity to power the turbo.

It is believed this would eradicate complicated piping traditionally associated with turbocharging and create power more efficiently with less turbo lag.

Subaru Australia spokesman David Rowley says it is the latest of many rumours swirling around the company's much-anticipated hero cars, the WRX and WRX STi.

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