A second-generation Subaru BRZ may have been confirmed by 2021 as part of Toyota’s increased stake in the smaller Japanese brand, but there was no sign of a new – or even facelifted -- BRZ at today’s Tokyo motor show opening.
Instead, a prototype version of the next-generation Subaru Levorg took pride of place on the Subaru stand, featuring a new 1.8-litre turbo-petrol boxer engine and an upgraded version of the brand’s EyeSight safety suite.
Australian launch timing is yet to be confirmed, but expect a local release sometime after the new sports wagon goes on sale in Japan in the second half of 2020, perhaps as late as 2021.
The near-production Levorg prototype brings a more angular take on the corporate design theme already seen on the latest Impreza, XV, Liberty and Outback, and what the company says are cutting-edge technologies that symbolise the “new generation of Subaru”.
Based on the latest Subaru Global Platform that already underpins those model, the new Levorg is powered by a new 1.8-litre horizontally-opposed four-cylinder direct-injection turbo-petrol engine with "lean-burn technology" that’s said to deliver both strong acceleration and environmental performance.
No engine outputs -- nor interior shots -- have been announced, but Subaru claims the downsized boxer four delivers “strong torque”.
The new Subaru Levorg also brings a next-generation EyeSight driver-assistance and active safety suite comprising new stereo cameras and four radars in the front and rear bumpers to bring 360-degree scanning and the addition of autonomous emergency braking with front cross-traffic detection.
The adaptive cruise control system is also upgraded to offer semi-autonomous driving in traffic jams, and also employs satellite data to detect upcoming road features and adjust the car’s speed accordingly, in the same way as similar European systems.
In addition, a new Advanced Automatic Collision Notification system alerts emergency services if the vehicle is involved in a significant collision.