SPY PICS: New Subaru WRX breaks cover

The hotly-anticipated 2021 Subaru WRX has been caught testing in Michigan by our spy photographers this week ahead of its mid-year global unveiling and local launch in the final quarter.

Despite the heavy camouflage, it’s clear the prototype aligns the new WRX’s design with the Subaru Levorg first revealed in 2019, while also offering signature Rex cues including a huge bonnet scoop, muscular fenders, side skirts and quad exhaust tips at the rear.

The next-gen WRX has courted plenty of interest with what will reside underneath the bonnet as well.

Reports out of Japan say the 2021 Subaru WRX will pump out 213kW of power and 412Nm of torque from its all-new FA24 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol boxer engine.

Furthermore, Japan’s Best Car Web says the Subaru WRX STI, which will follow a year after in 2022, will produce a Civic Type R-smashing 294kW and 490Nm from a more advanced development of the FA24 mill, thanks to stronger pistons, con rods and other internals.

It’s hoped the new powertrains will allow Subaru to reclaim lost ground in the world of small performance cars, an unenviable task in the face of powerhouses such as the 310kW Mercedes-AMG A 45 S.

Other details that have come to light for Subaru WRX buyers include a choice of either manual or automatic gearbox, however the latter is tipped to be a continuation of the continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Those hoping for a sweet-shifting and more engaging conventional auto like in the Ford Focus ST, or perhaps a dual-clutch auto favoured by the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R, will be disappointed.

Subaru Australia’s senior management team has promised the new WRX will get improvements in “everything from powerplants, transmissions, all the things that the Rex fans really crave”.

It’s not yet clear if the WRX STI will offer an automatic gearbox or remain a six-speed manual as has traditionally been the case.

Best Car Web is reporting the new 2021 Subaru WRX will be 55mm longer, 55mm wider and 25mm lower than the current model, riding on a 20mm-longer wheelbase.

That would make it 4650mm long, 1850mm wide and 1450mm tall, with a 2670mm wheelbase, and could potentially see the WRX move up into the mid-size passenger car class.

Just like the new Subaru Levorg, expect the next-gen Subaru WRX to adopt premium cabin upgrades including 11.6-inch central touch-screen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Stay tuned for more details.