TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Subaru reveals Viziv Performance Concept

Subaru WRX fans are holding their breath, following the introduction of the manufacturer's latest show car, the Viziv Performance Concept, at the Tokyo motor show earlier today.

The stylish design study reportedly previews the next generation of WRX, due in 2019. But WRX enthusiasts have been disappointed in the past, so they will no doubt have fingers crossed that the production WRX will lose little in translation from today's concept.

The new model, if it sticks to the show car's dimensions, will be significantly larger than the current WRX. According to the manufacturer, the Viziv ('Vision for Innovation') Performance Concept is 4630mm long, 1950mm wide and 1430mm high. That's around 70mm longer than the current Impreza and the wheelbase accounts for most of that gain.

Despite the Viziv being a sedan, no more than 10mm of the added length is aft of the rear axle line. At 2730mm, the Viziv's wheelbase is 60mm longer than the current Impreza's.

The forthcoming WRX will be built on the same SGP (Subaru Global Platform) architecture that underpins the Impreza, but being a modular platform, SGP will easily accommodate the longer wheelbase of the sporty sedan.

Subaru has revealed that the Viziv runs on 20-inch wheels (with 245/40 tyres), but the production WRX is unlikely to be fitted with that wheel and tyre combination as standard. Bumpers, quarter panels and the roof feature carbon-fibre elements in their construction.

The manufacturer anticipates that EyeSight technology enhancements being trialled in the Viziv will make it into production vehicles around 2020. These enhancements comprise radar and highly-accurate GPS/navigation.

Also on the Subaru stand in Tokyo is the BRZ STI Sport, which won't be sold in Australia, but some of its equipment will trickle down to Australian consumers in a new variant of BRZ to be launched by Subaru near the end of this year. The BRZ STI Sport is fitted with flexible V-braces and flexible draw stiffener front suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels with high-performance tyres, ZF/Sachs dampers with STI springs, gloss-black exterior features and a revised front bumper,

Inside, the BRZ STI Sport is trimmed in leather and Alcantara, with a Bordeaux Red colour motif offered exclusively for the high-spec sports car.

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