

Subaru unveiled the next-generation 2012 Subaru Impreza at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, but did not unveil the WRX version of the new model. According to the latest sources, the reason we haven’t seen the next WRX is because Subaru is planning on separating the WRX from the compact Impreza.

A source recently spoke to Motor Trend and said, “Apart from a few nuts and bolts, every part on the WRX will be unique. Even the engine and body. Obviously the WRX’s platform will be inherited from the new Impreza, but it will be radically modified and significantly shortened.”

The past generation Impreza and WRX models shared many common parts, which drove up the cost of the Impreza, Subaru’s entry-level model. For the next WRX, Subaru is developing it from the ground up to win in motorsports events and will use an updated version of Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system and a turbocharged boxer engine.

Motor Trend’s source claims that the next WRX will be powered by a turbocharged 1.6L boxer engine with around 270 horsepower, while the STI version will put out around 300 horsepower from the same 1.6L engine. The WRX will use a heavily modified version of the Impreza’s platform, but it will be significantly shortened.

Unfortunately the next WRX is not coming until around 2014.

Motor Trend