Toyota and Subaru Apparently Working On 4WD Hot Hatch

It has been over a decade since the development and sales of the Toyota and Subaru sports car, the 86/BRZ. A new project between the two companies has emerged and it is actually going against the trend of products with minimal to zero emissions. 

Toyota and Subaru are jointly developing an all-wheel drive (AWD) hot hatch, and will be unveiled as soon as next year!

Details are scarce at the moment, but according to a report by Japanese automotive news site Best Car Web, the new “WRC machine” will be roughly the same size as the existing C-segment Impreza hatchback, and will feature a Subaru drivetrain (boxer engine with symmetrical all-wheel drive system).

Let’s just stop to think for a moment, why does Toyota need an AWD hatchback when they already have the incredibly successful GR Yaris. It is even homologated for WRC and other motorsport categories. 

The 270 hp Toyota GR Yaris has been a sales hit in every country it is offered, except the United States. It is actually not offered due to the compact size of the car as well as the Yaris having a different brand and product image.

Thus, perhaps, the Toyota-Subaru AWD hot hatch could actually be the proper 320-horsepower GR version of the Corolla, a nameplate that is too familiar and a great addition to the GR line-up.

Hot hatchbacks that have come and gone in the US include the Volkswagen Golf R, Hyundai Veloster N, Honda Civic Type R and Ford Focus RS.