For fans of high-performance vehicles, the Impreza WRX is perhaps among the most famous trim levels in the industry. The base Impreza is a solid sedan for sure, but for years, the WRX has been the upgrade for drivers who want a bit more horsepower.
Yet in many ways, the additions to the WRX were so drastic that it could somewhat be considered its own car. Subaru apparently feels the same way, as the company is planning to split the brands into two separate vehicles by 2014, according to a new report by Motor Trend.
The new Impreza recently debuted at the New York Auto Show, but no WRX model was shown. According to the news source, this is because the WRX will be getting it's own model for 2014. A leaked artist's sketch shows off an extremely small and sporty coupe-like vehicle with aggressive lines and a massive spoiler - something likely to appeal to current fans of the WRX.
The report comes from an anonymous source, and Subaru hasn't confirmed or denied the rumors. Apparently, the key reason behind the change was cost. Since the WRX used many high-end automotive parts, the base version of the Impreza had to use a suspension and chassis that could support the upgrades - even if it didn't come with them. That meant a higher price for the base Impreza that Subaru was hoping to lower.