Remember the Levorg? Of course most people don’t, not when the cool-looking station wagon is exclusive to markets outside of the United States. The mid-sized family hauler has better on-road dynamics in comparison to the Legacy-based Outback thanks to the lower ground clearance, but 2020 marks the sixth anniversary of the nameplate.
Subaru knows it all too well the Levorg is outmatched by the Global Platform-based crop of models, ranging from the Impreza to the Ascent mid-size crossover, which is why an all-new Levorg is heading to the Tokyo Motor Show next month in tow with a very special WRX STI.
The teaser video and photograph for the second generation reveal a premiere date and familiar styling language. It shouldn’t come as a surprise the reveal on October 23rd boils down to Impreza- and Legacy-inspired design for the bodywork and exterior lighting system, yet there’s an exception to mention. The crease in the fender that connects to the taillights is still there, eerily similar to the one featured on the first generation.
Self-driving capability is coming with understandable limitations, but Subaru brings the point home with living in “an era where autonomous driving technology is widely spreading.” The EyeSight safety suite is of utmost importance to Level 2 automation, and Jinya Shoji from the global marketing division expects a lot of developments going forward.
As mentioned beforehand, switching to the Subaru Global Platform also means the Levorg will get a few upgrades in terms of oily bits, more structural rigidity, and improved NVH. The FB16 of the current generation is expected to soldier on with minimal modifications, along with the FA20 engine. The FB20 in the XV e-Boxer could also make the cut, bringing Toyota Prius hybrid know-how to the mix together with the Lineartronic CVT.
It remains to be seen if Subaru can make a case for a higher displacement than 2.0 liters or a plug-in hybrid option, but as ever, don’t get your hopes up for the Levorg to arrive stateside. These being said, let’s move on to the WRX STI EJ20 Final Edition for the Japanese market.
Because Subaru is ending production of the EJ20 turbo four-cylinder after three decades of success, the Final Edition of the WRX STI with this engine is extremely special indeed. As you can tell from the photo gallery, BBS 19-inch alloy wheels painted in gold are featured to commemorate the WRC success of the WRX STI when Colin McRae was still around.
The EJ series was introduced by the JDM specification of the Legacy in 1989, featuring 125 PS (123 horsepower) from 2.0 liters of displacement. The FB serves as the successor to the EJ, dating back to 2010 and available in 1.6-, 2.0-. and 2.5-liter versions with either natural aspiration or turbocharging.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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