Subaru Seems to Have Some Massive Changes Planned to Its Lineup

A leaked product planning document suggests Subaru has some big changes coming for 2021 and 2022.

subaru crosstrek sport gear patrol 04 Subaru

Subaru has overhauled its crossover lineup the past few years, launching the three-row Ascent and transitioning the Crosstrek, Forester and Outback over to the new Subaru Global Platform. But much work remains to be done; the rest of the lineup is aging rapidly. And judging from a product planning document (since deleted) found by the Canadian website AutoGuide and detailed by The Drive, Subaru plans to make all of the changes enthusiasts have been clamoring for. (Well, except reviving the Baja.)

Subaru’s performance cars will be overhauled

The Subaru WRX and BRZ are both beloved, but getting long in the tooth. But, per the leaked document, both have new generations slated to begin production next year. The new BRZ is scheduled for a spring 2021 production launch. A new 300-horsepower WRX will start in fall 2021, with a 400-hp manual-only WRX STI to follow in fall 2022.

Subaru’s crossovers will pick up an off-road package

Subaru’s crossover lineup faces challenges on multiple fronts, from the Kia Telluride or the new Bronco vehicles. To help counter those new threats, the Crosstrek, Outback, and Forester are getting new Wilderness trims per the slide. Not clear whether those will be appearance packages or contain serious off-roading hardware upgrades. (We will be rooting, of course, for a more badass Outback.)

The leak also has the Forester receiving a model refresh, which should go into production in spring 2021.

Subaru will finally get an electric car

Subaru and Toyota have been collaborating on an electric car — long rumored to be, in Subaru guise, called the Evoltis. Reports have it being an all-wheel-drive electric crossover with around 280 hp and 300 miles of range. The leaked slide has that on tap to start production in spring 2022.

But maybe take specific dates with a grain of salt

As Autoblog notes, the leaked slide appears to be from before the pandemic, which has been wreaking havoc on automotive timelines globally. So we could see these changes in roughly the same order…but on a delayed timetable.

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