Subaru has been noticed testing a prototype of its WRX sport sedan fitted with some efficiency upgrades, suggesting a warmer variant is within the works.
The wheels are larger than the usual 17-inch set discovered on the WRX, they usually home a Brembo brake bundle with pink calipers and cross-drilled rotors that nearly attain the internal lining of the wheel rim. There’s additionally a small spoiler connected to the trunk lid.
The prototype is not for a WRX STI, as Subaru has dominated out that choice, not less than for this era of its compact efficiency sedan. Nonetheless, we could possibly be trying a brand new tS variant.
The designation, which stands for “tuned by STI,” has been used on previous WRX generations bought exterior the U.S. The vehicles characteristic upgrades developed by STI however are tamer than devoted efficiency fashions developed by Subaru’s in-house tuner, though there are additionally some WRX STI tS fashions as nicely.
2024 Subaru WRX hotter variant spy pictures – Picture credit score: Baldauf
Upgrades discovered on tS fashions can vary from delicate to wild. They embody objects like oil coolers and aero components proper as much as adjustable suspension and engine tunes. The WRX at current is powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-4 delivering a peak 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It may be had with both a 6-speed handbook or CVT.
Whereas Subaru has beforehand supplied a BRZ tS within the U.S., not one of the earlier WRX tS variants have been bought right here. Nonetheless, the automotive in our spy pictures is probably going being developed with the U.S. market in thoughts, because it was noticed testing on native soil and sporting Michigan producer license plates.
Given the minimal camouflage gear on the prototype, a market arrival is probably going shut, presumably as early because the 2024 mannequin 12 months.