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A senior brand insider has revealed to Autocar that Subaru UK wants to sell a hot diesel-powered version of the Impreza WRX in the UK.
Subaru’s new diesel boxer engine, currently only on offer in the Legacy, is likely to be offered in the Impreza in its current state of tune before the end of the year – and Subaru has already hinted that more powerful versions of the engine will follow.
Subaru UK is mindful of the effect that forthcoming CO2-based taxation will have on the sales of its more powerful models, all of which fall into the highest emissions band ‘G’, and is pushing hard for brand bosses in Japan to bring forward a high-output version of the diesel motor for the Impreza. This would have around 200bhp and would be sold wearing a WRX badge.
The company’s diesel engine is light and its boxer configuration offers the same advantages of weight distribution as the petrol motors. A diesel WRX would also have the benefits of Subaru’s innovative all-wheel drive system, a clear point of distinction over its obvious rivals.
The lower-powered version of the diesel engine will also spread throughout the Subaru range, including the new Forester later this year.
Will Powell
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