WRX. Those three letters tell automotive enthusiasts the world over that they are not dealing with an ordinaryImpreza, and it all began in rally racing with a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine. Though some models – including the current WRX and STI in the United States – had engines displacing as much as 2.5 liters, the WRX earned its reputation with 2.0 liters, and that’s the displacement specified for competition use.

According to Motor Trend, the 2013 WRX, which will likely debut sometime in 2012, will go back to its original engine size. The new powerplant will reportedly be based on the engine found in the 2013 Subaru BRZ, a clean-sheet design for Subaru, with the addition of the expected turbocharger. That ought to bring power up from 200 horsepower to about 270.

Now we come to the question of what platform in which the engine will reside. While common sense would dictate that the latest version of the Impreza, which was recently released as a 2012 model, would get the WRX treatment, we’ve heard rumblings that Subaru would keep its current WRX shell around for a few more years while it continues development of the next chassis. Only time will tell.

Many of us were big fans of the visuals of the previous-generation Subaru Legacy. While it was a little long-in-the-tooth by the time its replacement rolled around, it was a pretty slick little number. The current Legacy may be more advanced than the model it replaced, but we’ve never warmed to its look the way we did with the fourth generation model. That’s why we’re encouraged by these preview images of this new concept.

At the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show later this month, Subaru will unveil the Advanced Tourer Concept seen here, together with its much-anticipated new BRZ coupe. We’re hoping this is a glimpse at the next-gen Legacy wagon, as the Advanced Tourer Concept packs much more aggressive, muscular styling than the current model (we’re also hoping that Subaru brings back the wagon bodystyle to North America). It’s also possible that it will be a standalone model outside of the Legacy range.

The interior has been done up in all manner of luxury features, from lashings of leather and brushed aluminum trim to the panoramic glass sunroof and, intriguingly, an infotainment screen mounted right on the steering wheel.

There’s also a new crash avoidance system based on two cameras mounted to the rearview mirror, but the bigger technological feature is the new in-house hybrid drivetrain that couples an electric motor to a 1.6-liter turbo boxer four to deliver the same output as a 2.0- or 2.5-liter but with better fuel consumption, driving all four wheels through a CVT. Like what you see? Check it out in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

We’re expecting to finally see the production version of the Subaru BRZ sports car at the Tokyo Motor Showin early December, but not before the automaker teases us with one more concept. At this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, Subaru will unveil this, the BRZ Concept – STI (yes, that’s its official name), showing what the automaker’s in-house tuner can do with the all-new, lightweight, rear-wheel drive sports car.

Curiously, the STI team has chosen to leave the BRZ’s 2.0-liter naturally aspirated Boxer four untouched. A shame, since a turbocharged version of the all-new powerplant would certainly make sense for an STI-badged version of the car. Subaru has, however, fitted upgraded suspension bits, new Brembo brakes and larger 18-inch wheels.

The neat thing about the STI Concept is that this is actually the first time we’ve seen the Subaru’s exterior design – we’ve only seen full models of the Toyota/Scion version of this car. We like what we see so far, though we’re not exactly blown away. Then again, we probably shouldn’t expect much from an automaker that hasn’t exactly been known for aesthetics over the years. Of course, this being the STI version, a large wing has been fitted to the rear deck, and the car is painted in a new evolution of Subaru’s classic blue, called WR Blue Pearl II.

We’ll see the car in person in just two weeks, but for now, hit the jump for Subaru’s press release and see some official renderings of the BRZ STI in our attached high-res image gallery.

It was a welcome change of pace to sit through a new car product presentation and not have to listen to company pitchmen repeat the adjective “best-in-class” over and over again. The simple truth is that the all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza doesn’t really have best-in-class anything – power, fuel economy, cruising range, cargo capacity or even warranty. The major thing that sets the new Impreza apart from its competition is standard all-wheel drive – a Subaru staple (at least, until the rear-wheel-drive BRZ shows up).

By equipping the Impreza with all-wheel drive as standard kit,Subaru is hoping to achieve one best-in-class mention: drivability. With its brand-new 2.0-liter flat-four engine leading the charge, Subaru aims to offer a solid package that proves to be the most engaging steer in its segment. Besides, if this new car will someday form the basis for the hotter WRX and STI models, it had better be at least somewhat engaging in original recipe guise, right? We headed to the hills of New York and Connecticut to find out.

During our weeklong stint with the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, many friends asked an all-too-obvious question: “How does it compare to the Mitsubishi Evolution?” A fair query, as the STI vs. Evo debate is something that we’ve pondered ever since Subaru launched its street-legal rally car in the United States back in 2004.

But then a most astute car enthusiast friend asked something that continues to trigger moments of contemplation: “Wouldn’t you just rather buy a standard WRX?”

See, ever since the WRX’s major overhaul in 2009 (yes, we know the redesign happened in 2008, but the big boost in power and added suspension tuning didn’t come until one year later), the STI has been sort of a hard sell. To make matters worse, Subaru fitted the WRX with its big brother’s widebody pieces for the 2011 model year, giving the mid-grade Impreza model the appearance of a full-on Evo competitor.

So after a week with the top-rung (and top-dollar) STI, does this Subaru still have enough panache and punch to make it worth the premium? Would we really just rather have a WRX?