The Subaru WRX is the last 2023 model year in Subaru of America’s lineup to be announced. All other models’ pricing and upgrades are available for customers but not the WRX. The BRZ has a dealer launch date among the two remaining sports cars. Why is Subaru so slow in bringing the second year of the next-generation performance car?
Planet Subaru says they don’t expect the 2023 WRX’s arrival until early next year because the 2022 WRX didn’t make its dealer launch until May because of supply chain issues. Because the WRX was an all-new design, the 2023 WRX will likely be a carry-over model without any changes or upgrades.
The WRX doesn’t follow the same model change upgrades as the Forester, Crosstrek, Outback, and other high-volume models. The Subaru WRX is called a “boutique” vehicle, sold in smaller quantities, and receives design and other upgrades less frequently.
Subaru introduced the previous generation WRX in 2015 and refreshed the sports car for the 2018 model year. The sport-tuned sedan went seven years before getting a complete redesign in 2022.
The 2023 WRX will continue with the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine. There will be no engine upgrades, and the power and torque ratings will remain the same.
What is the price of the 2023 Subaru WRX?
Even though the 2023 WRX will remain unchanged, look for the sports car to get about a price increase across all four trim levels because of the rise in shipping and parts costs. The 2023 WRX will come in Base, Premium, Limited, and GT. Look for a price increase of $500 to $600 on all trims.
Will Subaru bring back the WRX hatchback?
Subaru Corporation announced the WRX hatchback in Australia and Japan but did not offer the 5-Door model in the U.S. market. Planet Subaru says, “For the throngs clamoring for its return to North America, take comfort that Subaru made the significant investment in engineering the car. Perhaps when the global auto industry recovers from the chip shortage in the next year or two, Subaru might offer the hot hatch here.”
When will Subaru bring back the STI?
The STI isn’t coming back anytime soon. Subaru says they are now exploring opportunities for the next-generation Subaru WRX STI, including electrification. “In the meantime, a next-generation internal combustion engine WRX STI will not be produced based upon the new WRX platform,” Subaru said.
When will the Subaru WRX get upgrades?
Subaru Corporation will make minor improvements to the 2024 WRX. In the fourth year of its life cycle, Subaru will give the 2025 WRX a refresh with design upgrades outside and inside. The 2025 models could also get engine upgrades with a slight increase in horsepower. Stay tuned.
Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Subaru of America has not released any information on the next-generation 2023 Subaru WRX STI, but rumors about how much horsepower the new performance sedan will have are still coming. A new report from Forbes says the new STI will outperform the Mercedes-AMG 45 S and come with 420 horsepower.
The recent Forbes report says a "source close to Subaru" told them [Peter Lyon contributor] the 2023 Subaru WRX STI "modifications will elevate the STI's power to a figure hovering around 420 horsepower with maximum torque clearing 362 lb-ft."
photo credit: @arnold_design
The only accurate part of the report is that the next-generation WRX STI will come with a 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine. He says the 2.4-liter will get a "larger turbine and intercooler, reinforce the engine's internals with bespoke pistons and [connecting rods], remap the ECU and fit a special exhaust system."
Here is why the report is inaccurate and just a fabricated rumor. First, Subaru Corporation couldn't care less about the German automaker. The Mercedes-AMG 45 S is not WRX STI's competition.
photo credit: Subaru Corporation
The current-generation 2021 Subaru WRX STI 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer four-cylinder engine produces 310 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. Subaru is only concerned about the Volkswagen Golf R and the Honda Civic Type-R compact sports cars, not the Mercedes-AMG 45 S luxury model. How do we know?
Take a look at what Subaru did with the new 2022 WRX. They kept the WRX horsepower above or close to the competition. The 2022 WRX has 271 horsepower, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is rated at 241 horsepower, Hyundai Elantra N produces 276 horsepower, and the Honda Civic Si now has 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque.
Subaru will do the same with the new STI and make sure it compares favorably or outperforms the Honda Civic Type-R and the Volkswagen Golf R's horsepower ratings. The two compact sports cars are STI's competition.
The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R's 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The 2022 Honda Civic Type-R 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder engine makes 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
How much horsepower will the 2023 Subaru WRX STI have when it arrives?
The next-generation Subaru WRX STI will not have 420 horsepower and 362 lb-ft. of torque. The all-new 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine will likely have 100 horsepower less and come in at around 320 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque to beat its primary competition.
What's next for the 2023 Subaru WRX STI?
The 2023 Subaru WRX STI will upgrade the new 2.4-liter FA24 turbocharged Boxer engine with additional power. The new STI will ride on the new Subaru Global Platform and get significant suspension and brake upgrades.
When can I buy the 2022 Subaru WRX STI?
Subaru should introduce the new STI next summer and begin producing the all-new 2023 WRX STI during the fall of 2022. The STI won't make its dealer launch until early 2023.
The recent report from Forbes says the new STI will outperform the Mercedes-AMG 45 S and come with 420 horsepower. It's all rumor and more false information for the next-generation 2023 Subaru WRX STI.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Subaru Report - We’ve got you covered! Check back tomorrow for more unique, informative SUBARU news, reviews, and previews you can trust.
Leave your comments below, share the article with friends and tweet it out to your followers!
Photo credit: main image @arnold_design