Report: Subaru to drop the five-door hatch WRX/STi along with other lineup changes

AutomotiveNews learned some crucial details about Subaru’s near-future, which includes a variety of changes to be implemented across their entire lineup.

As of now, the plans include phasing in an all-new and completely redesigned Outback wagon and Legacy sedan for the later half of 2014, along with a new seven-seater crossover to replace the Tribeca, and wholly reworked versions of Subaru’s much-loved WRX and STi performance Imprezas.

Click here for our original post on the 2013 Subaru WRX Concept from the 2013 New York International Auto Show.

Speaking of which, word is that the next generation WRX and STi Imprezas will only be available in sedan form, meaning no more five-door hatchback variant. A debut is expected at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show in November with sales beginning in 2014. Pointers hint to an exterior design heavily influenced by the beautiful WRX Concept that debuted at the 2013 New York Auto Show earlier this year.

Lastly, a refreshed BRZ is expected in late 2015 as a 2016 model and the most probable addition to the BRZ line shapes up to be a convertible version, piloted by the Toyota FT86 Open Concept that was revealed earlier this year as well. But what we don’t understand is why Subaru is putting all of this effort into a convertible version of the BRZ when the demand is clearly for a turbo model.

And to further support this concern, Subaru apparently will have to elongate the BRZ by four inches at the wheelbase in order to accommodate folding origami. Let’s also not forget that chopping the head off of any car  will compromise handling in the way of reducing the chassis’ structural rigidity. Last time we checked, the BRZ’s focus was to be about handling and driving fun. Seems a bit counterintuitive, dont’chya think?

- By: Chris Chin

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2013/08/27/report-subaru-to-drop-the-five-door-hatch-wrxsti-along-with-other-lineup-changes/