Next-Gen Subaru WRX Previewed in Advanced Tourer concept

Remember Subaru’s Advanced Tourer concept from the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show? If not that’s probably because it was widely thought to be a window on the upcoming Legacy. Instead, it seems we were looking at the new WRX.

Subaru’s well-respected rally car split with its Impreza baby brother to sit on a new platform this year after complaints that the latest generation was too soft. Information on the latest-edition boy racer car has been difficult to find, but it seems likely that either an FA series 1.6- or 2.0-liter direct injected turbo boxer engine will make it under the hood. The 2.0 version seems like a strong candidate for the WRX variant, but nothing is confirmed yet.

Confirmation on go-fast parts aside, the WRX’s styling has always been something of hot debate. The love-it-or-leave-it beastly back wing of previous generations and the toned-down version that came after it both had styling that was anything but conservative. Now, according to sources connected to Motor Trend, we know quite a bit more about the new generation’s styling.

Heavy front-end styling influence from the Advanced Tourer will probably mean the chunkier front brake ducts and new headlights. A wider-mouth, more open grille like the one seen above will probably also work it way in. Overall, the car will likely adopt a more angular style than what we’ve seen with the current generation, with sharper hips and a more aggressive look.

GALLERY: 2011 Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept

[Source: Motor Trend]