Latest news with #TetsuroFujinuki
Motor Trend
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Is This Mystery Box-Flared, Winged Subaru a New STI—Or Just Another WRX?
Subaru fans might have a reason to get excited again. With the high-performance STI version of the iconic WRX still in the wilderness, fans have been eagerly awaiting news that the rally and motorsports special might return. During the 2025 running of the 24-hour endurance round of the Super Taikyu series, Subaru unveiled an image to the press on hand that, to us, is throwing strong "STI" vibes. Of course, Subaru provided virtually zero details on this interesting... whatever it is. According to Car Watch the presentation during Super Taikyu round 3 at Fuji included Tetsuro Fujinuki, Chief Technical Officer and Executive Managing Director of Subaru, who briefly spoke about a new WRX that will be unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show on October 29 and 30. While he wanted to talk further about it, he said 'but I got scolded, so I'm going to be a little vague.' He described it as a car that was 'a little more Subaru-like' and that it would utilize the technological assets Subaru currently has. 'A little further down the line,' said Fujinuki, 'we would like to create an even more cutting-edge car.' What that means is up to interpretation and speculation, but Car Watch was inclined to think it was something to do with the jointly developed Toyota Hybrid System found in Subaru's Crosstrek Hybrid and Forester Hybrid, albeit adapted to suit with a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine like the FA24 under the hood of the 2025 WRX. For what it's worth, Subaru has been pretty clear that any would-be STI likely would not be based on the WRX as we know it, and would probably incorporate some electrification. Again, Car Watch's speculation seems spot-on in regard to the hybridization theory, but it's less clear whether this mystery machine represents something beyond a WRX sedan. (Past STI models have been relatively closely related to the regular WRX, sort of like a Volkswagen Golf R is to the GTI.) The car pictured above certainly isn't just any old WRX, and its body, face, and general appearance seems different enough that we could be looking at a different car altogether. The only question is whether that car is an STI. All we know is, we're excited to see what this car and its box-flared body, aggressive splitter, and interesting looking rear wing will evolve into at the Japan Mobility Show.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Subaru prepares to unveil new performance model at Japan Mobility Show
Subaru has announced plans to debut a new vehicle at the upcoming Japan Mobility Show, sparking speculation about the brand's future direction. The reveal was made during an information session held at Fuji Speedway in conjunction with the Fuji 24 Hours Race, which is part of the third round of the Super Taikyu Series. According to Car Watch, during the session, Tetsuro Fujinuki, Subaru's Executive Managing Director and Chief Technical Officer, confirmed the forthcoming unveiling with a cryptic slide image that hinted at a new model. Although the image appeared heavily edited, it marked the first official visual tease of what may be Subaru's next performance vehicle. While rumours suggest this could be a new WRX, Fujinuki refrained from confirming any details. Fujinuki, who took on additional responsibilities for product planning in April, indicated his intention to develop a car that embodies what he described as a 'more Subaru-like and interesting' identity. He acknowledged the desire to reveal more concrete details but noted internal pressure to remain deliberately vague ahead of the official debut. He stated that Subaru aims to create an engaging car by leveraging its current technological capabilities. The upcoming model is expected to arrive relatively soon after its announcement, suggesting it may already be deep into development. Fujinuki added that while the new vehicle would utilise Subaru's present technologies, future plans also include the development of even more advanced models. One of the session's significant announcements was Subaru's ongoing work on a new horizontally opposed engine. However, Fujinuki clarified that this new engine would not be ready in time for the mystery model. As a result, the car slated for the Japan Mobility Show will instead make use of existing mechanical systems. This approach marks a notable shift in Subaru's strategy, especially following a joint presentation on 28 May 2024 with Toyota and Mazda titled the 'Multi-Pathway Workshop.' While Subaru had previously emphasised electrification, the event underlined a renewed commitment to traditional brand elements such as the boxer engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive. Additionally, Subaru highlighted its new transmission, developed using Toyota Hybrid System (THS) technology – dubbed TH2B. This system will feature in hybrid versions of the new Crosstrek and Forester SUVs and is part of Subaru's push to enhance hybrid performance under its 'S:HEV' branding. The TH2B system could potentially be paired with Subaru's FA24 engine – a 2.4-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder horizontally opposed unit – in the new model. Currently coupled with a Lineartronic CVT, the FA24 might see a performance boost through the integration of electric motor assistance. If implemented, this combination would suit both production efficiency and the performance aspirations implied by the teaser image. Hints from the presentation slides further fuel speculation. The raised bonnet suggests a supercharged or turbocharged engine, while the pronounced rear overhang and large rear wing imply a four-wheel-drive layout with a sporty hatchback profile. The visible grille design appears inconsistent with fully electric vehicles, reinforcing the impression that this is a combustion or hybrid-powered sports model. While these visual clues point to a performance-focused vehicle, they also raise questions about the complexity of integrating hybrid technology, particularly the spatial demands of batteries and electric components. Nevertheless, there is a growing sense of confidence within Subaru regarding the continued appeal of its mechanical all-wheel drive and boxer engine configuration. Subaru's upcoming model, described as 'Subaru-like' and 'interesting,' will serve as a litmus test for the brand's future positioning as it navigates a changing automotive landscape. With the Japan Mobility Show scheduled from 30 October to 9 November 2025, enthusiasts and industry watchers alike will be keen to see what shape this new chapter for Subaru will take.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Subaru prepares to unveil new performance model
Subaru has announced plans to debut a new vehicle at the upcoming Japan Mobility Show, sparking speculation about the brand's future direction. The reveal was made during an information session held at Fuji Speedway in conjunction with the Fuji 24 Hours Race, which is part of the third round of the Super Taikyu Series. According to Car Watch, during the session, Tetsuro Fujinuki, Subaru's Executive Managing Director and Chief Technical Officer, confirmed the forthcoming unveiling with a cryptic slide image that hinted at a new model. Although the image appeared heavily edited, it marked the first official visual tease of what may be Subaru's next performance vehicle. While rumours suggest this could be a new WRX, Fujinuki refrained from confirming any details. Fujinuki, who took on additional responsibilities for product planning in April, indicated his intention to develop a car that embodies what he described as a 'more Subaru-like and interesting' identity. He acknowledged the desire to reveal more concrete details but noted internal pressure to remain deliberately vague ahead of the official debut. He stated that Subaru aims to create an engaging car by leveraging its current technological capabilities. The upcoming model is expected to arrive relatively soon after its announcement, suggesting it may already be deep into development. Fujinuki added that while the new vehicle would utilise Subaru's present technologies, future plans also include the development of even more advanced models. One of the session's significant announcements was Subaru's ongoing work on a new horizontally opposed engine. However, Fujinuki clarified that this new engine would not be ready in time for the mystery model. As a result, the car slated for the Japan Mobility Show will instead make use of existing mechanical systems. This approach marks a notable shift in Subaru's strategy, especially following a joint presentation on 28 May 2024 with Toyota and Mazda titled the 'Multi-Pathway Workshop.' While Subaru had previously emphasised electrification, the event underlined a renewed commitment to traditional brand elements such as the boxer engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive. Additionally, Subaru highlighted its new transmission, developed using Toyota Hybrid System (THS) technology – dubbed TH2B. This system will feature in hybrid versions of the new Crosstrek and Forester SUVs and is part of Subaru's push to enhance hybrid performance under its 'S:HEV' branding. The TH2B system could potentially be paired with Subaru's FA24 engine – a 2.4-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder horizontally opposed unit – in the new model. Currently coupled with a Lineartronic CVT, the FA24 might see a performance boost through the integration of electric motor assistance. If implemented, this combination would suit both production efficiency and the performance aspirations implied by the teaser image. Hints from the presentation slides further fuel speculation. The raised bonnet suggests a supercharged or turbocharged engine, while the pronounced rear overhang and large rear wing imply a four-wheel-drive layout with a sporty hatchback profile. The visible grille design appears inconsistent with fully electric vehicles, reinforcing the impression that this is a combustion or hybrid-powered sports model. While these visual clues point to a performance-focused vehicle, they also raise questions about the complexity of integrating hybrid technology, particularly the spatial demands of batteries and electric components. Nevertheless, there is a growing sense of confidence within Subaru regarding the continued appeal of its mechanical all-wheel drive and boxer engine configuration. Subaru's upcoming model, described as 'Subaru-like' and 'interesting,' will serve as a litmus test for the brand's future positioning as it navigates a changing automotive landscape. With the Japan Mobility Show scheduled from 30 October to 9 November 2025, enthusiasts and industry watchers alike will be keen to see what shape this new chapter for Subaru will take.
Motor 1
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Subaru Is Teasing a New Performance Model. Could It Be an STI?
Will Subaru ever build another WRX STI? Will there ever be another hatchback? Those are questions Subie enthusiasts have been asking for years—since at least 2021, in fact, when the last STI left the US market. There have been hints of new STI and STI-adjacent models since then, but nothing concrete. Now, Subaru is teasing us with a high-performance variant of the WRX that may or may not be the new performance model we've been waiting for. 2024 Subaru WRX tS Photo by: Tim Stevens / Motor1 During a media session surrounding the Super Taikyu series at Fuji Speedway, Subaru Executive Managing Director and Chief Technical Officer, Tetsuro Fujinuki, confirmed a new performance model for this year's Japan Mobility Show. As reported by Japan's Car Watch , this could be a new WRX or STI, but the details are still unconfirmed. A lone teaser image previews the proposed performance model, showing a front-end clearly derived from the current WRX platform, but potentially with a longer roofline. Could it be a WRX hatchback or a new performance derivative of the Levorg? We'll have to wait to find out. Fujinuki said that this new model will make "good use of our current technological assets," and that, "we would like to create an even more cutting-edge car" down the line. The CTO reiterated that the company will provide even more details surrounding its future performance plans when the Japan Mobility Show opens its doors in October. For now, buyers in the US will have to make do with the current WRX and WRX tS sedans, which make up to 271 horsepower at their most potent. There have been rumors of all-electric iterations of Subaru's STI performance models, but given the recent changing landscape, it's unclear if Subaru will stick to that plan. 42 Source: Tim Stevens / Motor1 The Latest From Subaru The Subaru WRX STI Is Back, But Only With a CVT The 2025 Subaru WRX tS Is Expensive Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
