WRX STI hatch, auto still no closer

Want an automatic Subaru WRX STI? What about a hatch? Or maybe a little more power? Well, you’re plum out of luck.

Subaru said at the 2013 Los Angeles motor show debut of the WRX that both it and the higher-output STI would be offered only in sedan format, and it’s this story that WRX project general manager, Masuo Takatsu is sticking to; even if he’s the first to admit the decision will lose the brand potential sales.

“We don’t have any plans for it [a hatch] this time,” stated Takatsu-san. “I don’t think the effect of not having a hatch is zero, however, we also think that the utility of the current sedan, and the size, has improved from the previous generation.

“So we’re trying to attract those customers who might be [looking] for hatchback to see if they’d could be happy enough with a sedan at this point.”

Slick salesmanship may convince STI diehards that a sedan will fulfil their needs, but new buyers may be dismayed by the fact there will be no automatic version of the model available.

Class-competitors -- including the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Volkswagen Golf R and higher-priced German prestige rivals like the Audi S3 Sportback, BMW M135i and Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG and C45 AMG twins -- all offer their all-wheel drive hot hatches with both manual and automatic (usually dual-clutch) transmissions.

Subaru’s own new WRX, which arrives here a month before the STI in March, is offered with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) option, but the car’s project leader insists the brand’s ‘motorsports fans’ simply aren’t interested.

“At this point, we don’t have any plans [to release an automatic version] as STI customers tend to be more people that are into motorsports, and for those customer bases, we believe a 6MT [six-speed manual transmission] is the best choice,” said Takatsu-san.

It’s a similar story when it comes to additional power. Unlike the new WRX, which was gifted with an increase of 4kW and 6Nm, the STI receives only a modest boost in power (+6kW) but a marked reduction in torque (-14Nm).

Subaru says it is aware of the disparity in figures between the standard and halo variants, but says the stronger selling WRX received more focus this time round due to its stronger sales, while the STI’s changes were more focussed on better utilising the power of the carry-over 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer engine.

“As far as the WRX STI is concerned, what I believe needed the most evolution was the fact that the power of the engine was unable to utilise its full potential,” explained Takatsu-san. “So bringing the performance of the chassis and body to match the potential of the engine was the first priority.”

As to whether the engine would receive an increase before the end of the current model cycle, Takatsu-san was optimistic, but non-committal.

“There are no solid plans [to increase performance], but it is something we’d like to consider in the future,” he concluded.

For our complete review of the 2014 Subaru WRX STI visit motoring.com.au again soon.

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