Not that long ago Subaru showcased the WRX and WRX STI for the 2018 model year. Unfortunately, the car is mostly identical to those released a few years ago. This disappointed plenty of people who were looking forward to getting a new Subaru. Not all is lost, though. It seems that they may release a new generation of their high-performance car with the 2019 Subaru WRX STI. The new model aims to compete with the Focus RS from the early rumors and it seems it may be a lot more impressive than first thought.
READ MORE: NEXT GENERATION SUBARU WRX NOT EXPECTED UNTIL 2024?
Please, continue reading our article based on more or less accurate rumors, speculations, and genuine information collected on the Internet
2019 SUBARU WRX STI RELEASE DATE AND PRICE
- When will it hit the market?
Despite being expected as a 2019 model, the new STI might only hit the market towards the end of 2019. This would likely mean that, at least in the US, the car will be sold as a 2024 model. This is pretty much what most inside sources said a while back so, while not official, it is more than likely to happen. The price for the new STI is expected to get closer to $38,000 this time around. This is not only more than before but it would also be more than its main rivals. With the added price Subaru would be able to improve the new STI considerably.
IS A NEW PLATFORM THAT IMPORTANT?
Unlike the current model which is based on the older version of the Impreza, the new 2019 Subaru WRX STI will use Subaru’s brand new modular architecture. This means that Subaru can finally make the STI the car it was always meant to be. The new platform offers a much lower center of gravity which with the help of its horizontally-opposed engine should make for a really interesting package. The new chassis would also be considerably stiffer. All of these will add up to one of the best driving cars in the World if Subaru manages to set up the computers right. However, considering how much development time they had we would even dare to bet on them.
DESIGN
It is safe to assume that the upcoming Subaru WRX STI 2019 will still be based on the regular Impreza. This pretty much means that the overall design of the car is not going to be as striking as many said. Instead, expect something a bit more polished than before with the same muscular lines as before but with the newer body found on the Impreza. The large fixed rear wing, as well as the trademark hood scoop, should still be present on the new STI 2019. Inside the cabin, things are going to get more interesting as well. The STI will continue to offer five seats, a large trunk, and all the usual creature comforts. The design, on the other hand, will be vastly improved over the current model. The dashboard will be less cluttered and there will be quite a few more features than before as well.
2019 SUBARU WRX STI UNDER THE HOOD
The most important aspect of the 2019 Subaru WRX STI will remain its engine. The current model makes use of a rather old EJ unit that has its roots all the way back in the late ‘90s. The 2019 model is expected to use Subaru’s new F-generation engine. However, it still is unclear what engine it will actually get. So far the most probable candidate is the 2-liter turbo from the WRX boosted closer to 350 horsepower. However, this is not exactly the most reliable out there. Because of that Subaru may offer the STI with a larger turbocharged 2.5 liter FB powertrain. This could provide the required output while being a bit more reliable. A six-speed manual gearbox and Subaru’s great all-wheel drive system should be standard. Also, this time around the car will likely receive a much more capable software for its drivetrain that should make it faster than pretty much any other car at this price point.