2014 Subaru testing

[rage-wrx]

WARNING: THE 2014MY MAY OR MAY NOT LOOK LIKE THIS!!! CONTINUE READING AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

2014 Subaru WRX caught hot-weather testing in the States

Few mainstream hot hatches have tugged as many heartstrings in the last decade or so than the Subaru WRX. From its turbocharged four-cylinder heart to the traction of its all-wheel-drive footprint, Rex has been the benchmark by which others are judged since its debut in the States as a 2002 model. Suffice it to say that the next WRX, due in 2014, has mighty big shoes to fill.

Judging by the spy photos you see above, those shoes will be planted under bodywork that's not particularly different from that of the standard Impreza. We'd be lying if we said we weren't hoping for a bit more pizazz from this fourth-gen WRX, but most of its tepid styling – assuming these images are indeed indicative of the 2014 WRX – would be forgiven if the machine boasts more turbocharged performance than ever before.

As you can see, Subaru's engineering team brought along a current third-gen WRX hatchback for testing alongside the new model, and a brief comparison shows how much more restrained the styling of the latest Impreza is when compared to its forebear. We also note what appears to be an intercooler sticking further up into the hood scoop than the third-gen model, which could mean a turbocharged version of Subie's new FA engine is underhood. We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, peruse the images above and carry on speculating.

[Rex_Harrison]

Oh nooo!

That's hideous!

[christiangordon]

/\. Agreed

[michaelwfox]

Very very disappointed! Not at all what Subaru lead us to believe it would be.

[Hung_Wei_Lo]

Very disappointed as well. Looks very similiar to what I've seen before:

[Rex_Harrison]

Its just a base Impreza with Sti wheels and a hood scoop.

Maybe this is a hoax by Subaru to make everyone want to buy a 2013 before the 14' comes.

[michaelwfox]

Lol great marketing strategy if it is!

I'm hoping it is just a test mule.

[spirited09wrx]

the 13s will be gone before you know it, regardless of what the 14s look like

and once summer hits, we will be inundated with "Should I buy a 13 or wait for a 14?" threads

[rage-wrx]

The 2015 will be where its at folks.

[Rex_Harrison]

I'm thinking they are just testing out the 2.0l turbo power plant in a base impress with a hood scoop.

Unlikely they would test an all new model without camo , and before they show it at a car show. Right?

[michaelwfox]

Right!

[Hung_Wei_Lo]

I'm thinking they are just testing out the 2.0l turbo power plant in a base impress with a hood scoop.

Unlikely they would test an all new model without camp, and before they show it at a car show. Right?

Good point. Normally if the styling is new a test car will be camouflaged.

[thai-sti]

don't like it, take away th subaru badge and wing and u have an evo look a like

[Rambo]

I'm hoping it is just a test mule.

I'm thinking they are just testing out the 2.0l turbo power plant in a base impress with a hood scoop.

Bingo. That's very obviously just an impreza-based engineering mule. Dial in the powertrain and handling on a cheap and readily-available platform. Subaru hasn't had reflector low-beams in the WRX since 2006, they're unlikely to start now.

The 2015 will be where its at folks.

I already have a spy shot of the 2015 STI:

[Rex_Harrison]

^ 2015 is gonna be a big year for Subaru.