Subaru had a good year in 2018, but what is coming in 2019? Look for a new performance WRX STI and two models get the new Subaru Global Platform.
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Aside from the recalls and lawsuits, 2018 was a good year for Subaru. They launched the largest vehicle in the companies history, the all-new 3-Row Ascent, the new fifth-generation 2019 Forester made its global debut, and a first-ever Crosstrek Plug-in hybrid model hit dealer showrooms. What does the Japanese automaker have planned in 2019?
The Subaru Global Platform (SGP) has been a boon to sales as we can see with the 2019 Crosstrek and 2019 Forester. All models with the new SGP are selling well and setting new sales records. Subaru hit a home run when they spent $1 Billion on developing the new architecture that will underpin all new-generation Subaru models. 2019 will the bring an all-new Outback wagon and Legacy sedan, but WRX and WRX STI performance cars, and BRZ sports coupe will have to wait.
Subaru WRX STI S209
Performance fans get a first-ever Subaru WRX STI S209. It breaks cover on, January 14, 2019 at the North American International Auto Show press day event. The higher-performance STI sedan is the first-ever “S” series STI model coming to U.S. shores as it’s been a Japan-only model up until now. It will be a limited production model and Subaru hopes it will keep enthusiasm high for the iconic WRX STI performance-tuned sedan until it gets a complete remodel sometime in 2020-2021. Stay tuned.
All-new Outback
Outback fans are looking forward to the next-generation wagon. The Subaru wagon is surprisingly selling well in spite of needing a complete overhaul. The popular Outback is coming in 2019 and gets the new SGP like the new 2019 Forester, Crosstrek and Impreza. Look for the new 2020 Subaru Outback to get five significant upgrades and sales should skyrocket with urban-adventurers looking for an SUV-alternative all-wheel-drive vehicle.
Next-Generation Legacy
The Legacy is the only sedan in America that comes standard with all-wheel-drive, but sales are slipping as they have with all sedans in the U.S. market. Legacy will also get the new SGP in 2019 and it will help revive interest in the sedan as sales have been steadily dropping the past two years. The Legacy will also get a complete remodel and should have improved driving dynamics and look for new safety technology on the all-wheel-drive sedan.
What’s on the horizon?
Subaru is working on a new all-electric vehicle. A new Subaru EV is coming and it will likely arrive in 2021 or 2022. The new EV will likely be built on an existing nameplate and not be an all-new vehicle. Subaru will do it with help from Toyota, Mazda, and Denso. At the end of September 2017, Toyota and Mazda announced they would form a joint venture with parts maker Denso to design, test, and build components for a shared electric-car platform. Torque News reported Subaru would join this new partnership in order to acquire the basic technology needed to develop their new Subaru EV.
The next-generation 2020 Subaru Outback will be the big news in 2019. Look for the new SUV-alternative vehicle to arrive in the fall of 2019. Stay tuned.
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Photo credit: Subaru USA
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