[cowWRX]

"The 2013 WRX will use a new turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine that, while a half-liter smaller, will make more power than the engine in the current model. Aided by direct injection, the new four-cylinder should make close to 270 horsepower and, coupled with the new WRX's expected weight loss, help achieve better fuel economy than the current model's 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway. Expect a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive to come standard.

The top-performing WRX STI -- expected by late 2013 -- should make about 305 hp and offer a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

We don't expect a thorough exterior makeover, but it's likely the WRX and WRX STI will be offered only as hatchbacks, with a style leaning to the popular four-door "coupe" look."

The link to the full preview: 2013 Subaru WRX

So, my question is, what is the source that they are getting all these stuff from? It looks like it's what we've all been waiting for, certainly it's what I am waiting for; with the 6 speed manual, better fuel efficiency, more horsepower, and a dual clutch AT with paddles in the STI.

What do you all think about this?

 

[TrozPSU]

"The 2013 WRX will use a new turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine that, while a half-liter smaller, will make more power than the engine in the current model. Aided by direct injection, the new four-cylinder should make close to 270 horsepower and, coupled with the new WRX's expected weight loss, help achieve better fuel economy than the current model's 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway. Expect a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive to come standard.

The top-performing WRX STI -- expected by late 2013 -- should make about 305 hp and offer a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

We don't expect a thorough exterior makeover, but it's likely the WRX and WRX STI will be offered only as hatchbacks, with a style leaning to the popular four-door "coupe" look."

The link to the full preview: 2013 Subaru WRX

So, my question is, what is the source that they are getting all these stuff from? It looks like it's what we've all been waiting for, certainly it's what I am waiting for; with the 6 speed manual, better fuel efficiency, more horsepower, and a dual clutch AT with paddles in the STI.

What do you all think about this?

It's interesting that they'd only make them available in hatchback form considering they just brought back the STI Sedan in '11. It pretty much all fits the rumors that have been floating around though, smaller but lighter and standard 6-speed.

 

[RayfieldsWRX]

It's likely all rumor and hearsay at this point. Subaru is notoriously close-to-the-vest with this kind of stuff.

 

[UEDan]

^^Hope not, at least about the Direct Injection part.
Heres to hoping it mounts the same as an EJ motor....

 

[Gixxerjoe]

If everything goes like that... I may ante up for a 2014 STI - DCT!

 

[cowWRX]

Yeah. I mean if all these are true, it addresses all my concerns about the wrx and even the STI. I would have no issues with buying one. The only thing is I would hope they don't go too far with the luxury stuff making prices climb to 335 territory. I want the wrx and STI to be what it always has been, an affortable performance car.

 

[06wrx4me]

2.0l turbo, awd hatch, 30mpg and dct, under $30k and I'm there.

 

[Calvinball]

I've read that on autoblog as well, although there was a recent motortrend article which wasn't predicting exactly the same things iirc.

The improved fuel economy almost had me considering waiting for a 2013, but I decided I'd rather get a 2012 than a first run year of a new engine.

 

[cowWRX]

I'm going to wait for reviews first of course, but I'm going to be bold and predict that the 2012s will be desirable later like the last year of integra, celica GT, RSX and RSX-S.

 

[jobata23]

this is a good news and prob keep my Rex until the new sti to come out with higher mpg that's a plus

 

[Divinitus]

I've also heard most of the above and I've also read wrx and sti will be their own cars, built in their own plant and no longer sharing the imprezza name or body.

 

[Calvinball]

Here's the Autoblog article I mentioned:
Next-gen Subaru WRX targeting downsized 2.0-liter four that's upsized to 270 hp

WRX. Those three letters tell automotive enthusiasts the world over that they are not dealing with an ordinary Impreza, and it all began in rally racing with a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine. Though some models – including the current WRX and STI in the United States – had engines displacing as much as 2.5 liters, the WRX earned its reputation with 2.0 liters, and that's the displacement specified for competition use.

According to Motor Trend, the 2013 WRX, which will likely debut sometime in 2012, will go back to its original engine size. The new powerplant will reportedly be based on the engine found in the 2013 Subaru BRZ, a clean-sheet design for Subaru, with the addition of the expected turbocharger. That ought to bring power up from 200 horsepower to about 270.

Now we come to the question of what platform in which the engine will reside. While common sense would dictate that the latest version of the Impreza, which was recently released as a 2012 model, would get the WRX treatment, we've heard rumblings that Subaru would keep its current WRX shell around for a few more years while it continues development of the next chassis. Only time will tell.

And the Motortrend:
All-New Subaru WRX: What to Expect - Motor Trend

After its recently revealed "Motion V" program was announced late last year, Subaru bosses arranged a special briefing for potential investors. At that meeting, senior staffers laid out a road map of what models and new technologies would be unveiled up to 2015.

It started with the all-new Impreza of last year, the BRZ and Forester which will go on sale this year, the Exiga minivan in 2013, the all-new WRX (which will diverge from the Impreza platform) and a brand new sport wagon for 2014, and the all-new Legacy in 2015.

Of note on the technology side is a new direct injection turbocharged engine slated for introduction by the end of this year. And that's just part of Subaru's powertrain plans. According to a source close to Subaru, the company is currently working on a three-stage plan:

Stage 1 (completed) - Direct injection 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer incorporating Toyota's DS-4 technology for the BRZ
Stage 2 - Direct injection turbocharged variant of the FA20 2.0-liter
Stage 3 - High-powered four-cylinder turbo boxer for the next generation WRX. While the final engine capacity has not been decided yet, the consensus inside Subaru is leaning towards downsizing and tweaking the BRZ's FA20 2.0-liter unit into a 1.6-liter turbo featuring new lean-burn technology.

This is where the story gets interesting. We hear the turbo destined for production later this year and the one being developed for the WRX are two different beasts. That is to say that the WRX, which is expected to return in three-door hatchback and sedan forms (check out our CG image to see how one artist visualizes the hatch), is rumored to employ a turbo with some form of electric device. This has been a while coming as Subaru took out a patent on an electrically-operated turbo back in 2007.

While the internals are still secret, our source did mention that the new turbo would use heat energy from exhaust gases to generate the necessary electricity. That means that the new turbo will do away with the complicated piping prevalent in current turbos. This new system will generate greatly improved energy efficiency which will in turn basically eradicate turbo lag. Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda have all dabbled with electric turbos, but Subaru could be the first to bring the idea to production.

Whether the WRX will stage a comeback to the WRC is undecided, but Subaru did say that we can expect to see the car in competitive events from road racing to rallying.

Read more: All-New Subaru WRX: What to Expect - Motor Trend