Subaru has confirmed what Leftlane predicted last week – the next-generation WRX will be powered by a turbocharged version of the BRZ’s 2.0-liter boxer four.
The company is targeting a 270 horsepower output for the engine, which would make it slightly more powerful than the current WRX’s 265 horsepower, 2.5-liter turbo four. The move is consistent with Subaru’s intention of better differentiating the WRX from the standard Impreza, which uses a 2.0-liter mill from the company’s FB family of engines.
Though the BRZ’s motor, known internally as the FA20, has a displacement in common with the FB, it features unique 86 mm x 86 mm bore and stroke measurements and Toyota’s advanced D4S port and direct fuel injection system.
The switch to a smaller motor should also lead to better fuel economy than the middling 19/25 mpg numbers posted by the current WRX. Subaru expects the naturally aspirated FA20 to achieve 30 mpg on the highway in the BRZ.
Subaru didn’t reveal when the new WRX would hit the market or whether the turbo FA20 would ever find its way into the BRZ; we’re guessing some point in 2012 as a 2013 model for the former, but as for the latter, we can only hope.
References
1.’Next-gen Subaru WRX…’ view
