Subaru Confirms Impreza WRX will Not Be Discontinued

[409industries]

Everyone thought the rumor that Subaru would be dropping its popular WRX model when it launches a redesigned Impreza was bunk. The rumor originated with an article by Autocar that stated Subaru had "no plans to carry over the intermediate WRX model." Michael McHale, Subaru's Director of Corporate Communications, got in touch with Autoblog to let us know that the WRX is safe and will be present after the relaunch of the redesigned Impreza. Those worrying that the Impreza will only be offered as a five-door hatchback in the future can rest easy, too.

http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/images/news/2007/full_images/february/notdropped_07_wrx.jpg

Sedan variants will be offered, presumably along with the five-door hatchback we've seen in spy shots. We still expect to see the new Impreza at the New York Auto Show in early April, though it's unclear whether or not Subaru will follow Mitsubishi's lead and introduce only the standard models before trotting out the hotted up WRX and STi variants. We'll be on hand in the Big Apple to let you know from the show floor.

[wrc_dna]

I thought I heard that the impreza name would be dropped, but not the WRX portion. Rally Mexico is rumored to be the unveiling of the '08 STi.

[I Like It Sideways]

And Pastrana will get his first crack at driving one too I believe. :D

I never knew that there were rumors about the name or the car being dropped... where did the rumor's come from?

[wrc_dna]

you know how rumors start. I read something on iwsti, but I don't put any faith in rumors about Subaru. Nothing offical until Subaru global releases info on their site.

I also heard (rumor) that in '09 the STi will be a 3 door hatch. I would guess that Subaru is chasin Ford, Citroen, and all the others that run a 3 door hatch in the WRC.

[409industries]

I also heard (rumor) that in '09 the STi will be a 3 door hatch.

It doesn't help that people blatenly speculate and just put whatever they want into print (are you referring to the intro in last months SubieSport regarding the hatch?) I hope that subaru never makes a hatch, especially for the WRC. We have wagons for that purpose...

And the new impreza in WRC mexico is not a rumor, its is going to be there. Petter Solberg and others talk about how excited they are for it to be debuted in WRC Mexico almost everytime they are on camera at the events. :)

[wrc_dna]

1/2 truth and 1/2 rumor. See that's what I'm talkin about! There are so many concept drawing and specualtion. I will wait until Rally Mexico to see for sure.

The only reason to bring out a 3 door hatch is to compete in the WRC. The weight savings is about the only good reason that I can think of. It will probably end up being like the '06. At first everyone hated it, then it grew on alot of people (me included). The same will happen for the '08