When the latest Subaru WRX and STI models debuted earlier this year, there was one particular omission from the lineup: a hatchback.
Enthusiasts were surprised at the move when the lineup consisted only of a sedan, and sales data seems to back that up: in the U.S., sales of the outgoing WRX sedan and hatchback were split evenly, while the hatchback accounted for 33 per cent of WRX STI sales.
The official word from Subaru is that it would be too expensive to develop both body styles, despite the fact they share a handful of mutual bits and pieces with the Impreza. However, recent chatter from Masuo Takatsu, the WRX and WRX STI’s project manager, seemed to suggest a five-door was back on the table after “strong interest from the U.S.”
According to latest reports, that’s not the case anymore. Subaru of America was apparently surprised at Takatsu-san’s words, and after further discussions, finally put the rumors of a WRX hatchback to rest: it likely won’t happen anytime soon.
Does this mean we’ll see the Subaru Levorg in North America, in place of the WRX hatchback? That probably won’t happen, either.
