Subaru's new World Rally Car?

[Rally Hokkaido]

While we still wait for Toyota's announcement of a return to the WRC, this article from US webzine, Motor Trend hints strongly that Subaru plans to produce an all new WRX, which will form the basis for their return to the top level of WRC.

Subaru Impreza, WRX Models to Diverge - Motor Trend (http://www.motortrend.com/future/future_vehicles/1107_subaru_wrx_to_go_its_own_way/index.html)

[N.O.T]

hmmmm....the photoshop is a bit extreme i think.

[Josti]

The thing looks like a toy car, but I would be anctious to see Subaru entering under their own banner (not Prodrive) someday.

Is there an actual Toyota announcement awaiting btw?

[Rally Hokkaido]

The thing looks like a toy car, but I would be anctious to see Subaru entering under their own banner (not Prodrive) someday.

Is there an actual Toyota announcement awaiting btw?

As the article states (in bold type) this is just one artist's idea of what the car might look like - I agree he has a pretty vivid imagination!

OK, I may have been overly confident when I started this thread nearly a year ago.

http://www.motorsportforums.com/wrc/139377-toyota-announces-wrc-plans.html

But I have heard of some developments, this year:

1/ One Toyota test mule was built and tested by a WRC driver here, late last year - source is a well-connected friend

2/ VW finally announced their plans to enter WRC. In one of the first Toyota WRC articles in Best Car magazine their contact at Toyota stated that Toyota knew VW would enter WRC and that from a marketing point of view they would (be forced to) follow their No1 European rival (in the B segment).

3/ Several months ago on TotalRally Colin reported that the FIA had just rejected Toyota's request for a waiver to use the new Yaris as their WRC car. Apparently, it was too short.

There is obviously a lot more than just WRC talk going on at Toyota, so I suppose I'll remain optomistic. Will that announcement be made next week, next month or next year?
I don't know.

[koko0703]

I wouldn't be too surprized if Toyota decide to enter WRC under the Subaru brand and Le Mans with Toyota or Lexus. I think it make sense to promote road going model in WRC while showcase the environmentally friendly hybrid technology in Le Mans.

[Gregor-y]

After eleven years of watching Japanese car magazine artists guess what the next Impreza will look like I can't take it seriously. Not that a return to the WRC for Subaru would be a bad thing if they can get the car to work and keep it somewhat relevant to the cars they sell.

The Impreza these days is a bit large for the WRC; maybe a new model using the Toyota FT86 concept? Subaru is supposed to get something out of it.

[Fly_Half]

On the short list for the WRX’s powerplant is a turbocharged 1.6-liter boxer

Given the current WRC Regs, I suppose one could read quite alot into that statement in the article....

[N.O.T]

nothing new there subaru already had a 1.6 turbo i think it was called the TS

[dimviii]

nothing new there subaru already had a 1.6 turbo i think it was called the TS

This wasn t a factory car,it was a Austrian kit installed at normal aspirated subarus from the Greek importer.There is no existance of such a model worldwide.

[tfp]

This would be fantastic news if it goes ahead. Then, mitsubishi would have to come back, and restore age old rivalry:-)

[Walach]

Some time ago I have read an article about cooperation on build of 1.6T engine between Subaru and Cosworth.
For example, here Subaru and Cosworth prepare new 1.6 liter boxer engine - Top Speed (http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/subaru-and-cosworth-prepare-new-16-liter-boxer-engine-ar92108.html)

[HaCo]

Some time ago I have read an article about cooperation on build of 1.6T engine between Subaru and Cosworth.
For example, here Subaru and Cosworth prepare new 1.6 liter boxer engine - Top Speed (http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/subaru-and-cosworth-prepare-new-16-liter-boxer-engine-ar92108.html)


Next to the Impreza, the new engine will mainly serve for the mass return to the Japanese competitions. With the new FIA rules in place, the engine is necessary for the WTCC rally
How to bring positive news for everybody? :p

[GigiGalliNo1]

That photo is hilarious! Designed by someone who makes them for t-shirts, mugs and stuff, you know with those big cartoon like wheels?! Hah!!! Idiots

[AP-Racing]

‎#WRC Subaru devrait annoncer son retour en WRC avec le modèle Impreza 2012 (from Planetemarcus facebook)

[6789]

Announcement soon for 2012 does that say?

[N.O.T]

lets hope its true.....and not another publicity stunt.

[Jake Stephens]

Subaru should never really have left in the first place, hopefully they will come back. Do I really think they will? No.

[focus206]

If I am good enough, this should be translated in English:
Google Traduttore (http://translate.google.it/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=it&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=it&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motorinside.it%2Fclamoroso-subaru-prepara-il-terreno-un-ritorno-iridato-nel-2014-con-la-nuova-wrx-sti&act=url)

[N.O.T]

blah blah blah blah...

Rumours are free publicity....

[Mise]

blah blah blah blah...

Rumours are free publicity....

C'mon, rumors and speculation is half the fun in motor sport.

[N.O.T]

you have a point there i must say...

[HaCo]

If they return, not with prodrive?

[Allyc85]

Id say prodrive are a bit busy with another team right now, and even if Subaru did come back I doubt it would be with them after how the last project ended.