How will sporty LEVORG the WRX replacement be received in Europe?

Can Subaru really be successful by replacing the next-gen WRX performance car in Europe with a wagon? The new LEVORG performance wagon was just unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Show 2013 and it will headed to Europe. We reported here earlier this week that it will likely replace the 2015 WRX in Japan and Europe. Why is Subaru deciding to do this?

According to a report by Motoring.com.au in Australia, Subaru execs felt that the brand needed an injection of something completely different in the European market and because Europeans love their wagons, the LEVORG is that car. Wagons account for more than 25 percent of of compact sales in Europe and Subaru wants to take advantage of the competitive segment.

Europe loves their wagons

Europe has always been known to have the fastest wagons on the planet with the Audi RS4, BMW M5 and 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. The new LEVORG won’t compete with the big boys, but it will be competitive with the VW Jetta sport wagon, Toyota Auris and Honda Civic Tourer.

The Subaru LEVORG sports tourer was unveiled this week at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013 on Wednesday and will be the Japanese automakers new entry into the sport wagon market. Subaru has had many years experience in developing successful wagons and now they’ll take the performance technology from the WRX and join the two together. Europeans should love the two turbo engine choices they will have.

Two engine choices

LEVORG Sport tourer will come with two engine choices. It will be powered by a new 1.6-liter direct-injection turbocharged boxer engine producing 125kW/250Nm This newly-developed engine will be a 1.6-liter Horizontally-Opposed direct injection turbocharged powerplant that was developed from the FB family of engines. The new sport wagon will be the first to get the turbocharged version of the FB16 engine that will make it to market.

It will also come with the new turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer generating 221kW/400Nm (295 hp 295 lb ft torque) that first appeared in the 2014 Forester. It will be similar to the new sport-tuned 2.0-liter boxer engine that just made its debut in the 2015 WRX at the LA Auto Show on the same day as the LEVORG premiere in Japan. The smaller displacement engine can develop more power than the outgoing 2.5-liter and sits lower in the chassis for better weight distribution.

Two transmissions and sport-tuned suspension

The 1.6-liter turbocharged engine will come mated to a Lineartronic automatic transmission and Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD system. The sporty 2.0-liter turbo will be coupled with the Sport Lineartronic gearbox and all-wheel-drive. Both will come with a front strut and rear double wishbone suspension.

LEVORG will feature a stiffer sport-tuned suspension with electric power steering and a smaller sport D-shaped steering wheel with a thick grip. The 1.6-liter sport models will have sport 215/50R17 tires, the 2.0-liter power-performance models get performance 225/45R18 wheels and tires.

Both sport tourer models will come loaded with Subaru’s active safety systems like the new-generation EyeSight, Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Prevention Assist safety features.

European buyers will be sure to embrace Subaru’s newest entry into the compact sport tourer segment. Will it be enough to make them forget about the new 2015 WRX? The production 2014 Subaru LEVORG sport tourer is scheduled to launch in Japan spring 2014 with pre-orders beginning January 4, 2014.