Next Subaru WRX price under wraps

Just don't ask about the price. The all-new WRX promises everything from more punch to better economy and quality, all wrapped in a body that is creating worldwide headlines following its unveiling at the New York motor show.

The first cars will be delivered by June next year and company boss Nick Senior tells Carsguide there has already been a big reaction in Australia.

"There has been a huge amount of interest. There are blogs and forums, but people are still going to wait to see the final car. We don't get involved with pre-orders but there is a lot of interest.'' Senior says the show car from the Big Apple is almost identical to the production car, although the four-door WRX is expected to gain some extra headroom at the expense of the coupe-style roofline.

"The excitement and the elements of design are all there. There are some obvious things that will be missing, like the small mirrors and carbon fibre roof, but the factory has always produced a sporty replacement for the existing model,'' Senior says.

But push him for details of the fourth-generation WRX, especially on a pricetag that needs to fall below $40,000, and Senior retreats to re-group. "To give you more, I'd probably be misleading you. There is still a long time to go before we even get to specifications and pricing.''

There is talk about all sorts of WRX developments, from downsized turbo engines to the end of the two-door and wagon versions of what - from now - will be a unique body that's not shared with the Impreza. But, again, Senior is giving nothing away.

"I know there is a lot of interest in this. I'm not being evasive, but there are some things I cannot discuss,'' he says. So what, then, does the managing director of Subaru Australia want in his new WRX? "From a performance point of view, it's still got to be true to the core appeal. And broadening the appeal,'' Senior says.

"We'd like to see changes to the interior, particularly for the STI model.'' Senior says the new WRX is a cornerstone for a range that runs from the BRZ sports car across to the Forester, and also sees plenty of showroom potential. "We are seeing a bit of a renaissance in sporty and performance cars. That's the direction I very much want them to take.

"We have a unique opportunity and unique position in Australia. The SUV category is growing stronger and the sports categories are also growing stronger. "We see that increasing in the next 5-10 years. We'd like to have those sporty models available."

And what about talk of a WRX with a 1.6-litre hybrid drive package? "Definitely not. I have heard nothing along those lines.'' Senior also says there will be ample supplies of the new WRX, and the STI to follow, unlike the BRZ which became the focus of an internet sales plan to prevent waiting lists and squabbles in showrooms. 

"We have no plans to adopt the BRZ strategy with this car. It will be a regular model, the same as it is today.''

This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover