Despite the dreadful atmosphere surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, we still have to say – what a time it is to be alive. And a big reason that led to our exclamation comes from a rumour that Toyota and Subaru are jointly developing an AWD hot hatch, and will be unveiled as soon as next year!
Details are scarce at the moment, but according to a report by Japanese automotive news site Best Car Web, the new “WRC machine” will be roughly the same size as the existing Impreza hatchback, and will feature a horizontally-opposed boxer engine, and a symmetrical all-wheel drive drivetrain.
The publication goes on to say that the symmetrical all-wheel drive system, being Subaru’s wheelhouse, will be a “completely different system” to the one currently offered on the Toyota GR Yaris. But aside from that, we have no clue as to what other components will – or will not – be shared between the two. Let’s just hope that the manual gearbox makes the cut.
When Toyota and Subaru announced their renewed capital alliance in 2019, the companies confirmed – among other things – the joint development of the new Toyobaru twins, as well as “new all-wheel drive models”. The former is already well underway, with the all-new Subaru BRZ already unveiled in November last year, and now it seems like we’re about to see what the latter is all about!
In any case, we’re still glad to see that companies like Toyota and Subaru are still working on these traditionally low-volume products, mainly to appeal to the limited enthusiast fan base. And if the new Toyota/Subaru hot hatch is anything like the GR Yaris, we’re set to have a brilliant 2022 on our cards.
