Subaru mulls motorsports return, nixes small CUV plans
Fri, 08 Aug 2014The Subaru WRX STI breaking the automotive lap record at the Isle of Man might be just the beginning of the headlines trumpeting a Subaru racecar. According to the latest rumors, the Japanese brand is looking at taking motorsports more seriously in the future. That could possibly even mean endurance racing at Le Mans.
According to Auto Express, the brand is mulling a greater participation in motorsport, but the big question is where. The World Rally Championship isn't a certainty because it now favors smaller cars like the Volkswagen Polo. Subaru still competes in series like Rally America and Global Rallycross, but there are bigger stages to play on.
What's interesting, is that this commitment to motorsports comes right as the automaker is denying plans to build a small CUV for its passenger car lineup. According to Auto Express, the company has no intention of developing a crossover smaller than the current XV Crosstrek. Even if the sales are there, it would just cost too much to develop. In the US, at least, the XV is doing great with sales up 42 percent in July.
Autoblog reached out to the company for more hints about its future racing endeavors and we're awaiting their reply. Let us know in Comments where you'd like to see Subaru competing.
By Chris Bruce
See also: Subaru teasing new WRX S4 model ahead of Japanese debut, Subaru WRX STI vs. Audi S3 in compact AWD dustup, Subaru facing class-action suit over excess oil use.