New Subaru coupe spotted on test drive in desert

Photo / Supplied

Subaru's WRX coupe has been spotted being test-driven in the deserts of Arizona.

The new car is a joint project with Toyota and was previewed by the FT-86 concept car shown at the Tokyo motor show last year. Both Toyota and Subaru will launch different versions of the coupe late next year.

The design of the front lights and bonnet-scoop on the car that was photographed in Arizona signal it as the Subaru. Unlike the Toyota-badged car - which will be rear-wheel-drive only - the Subaru will come equipped with a four-wheel-drive system that runs a rear-wheel-drive bias.

Like the Impreza, the newcomer will offer a 2-litre flat-four cylinder boxer engine.

That means power should stand at about 150kW, allowing for a zero to 100km/h time of just less than seven seconds.

Engineers have apparently worked hard to make sure that the engine meets the latest emissions regulations and delivers town-and-around fuel economy of about 8 litres/100km, or 35mpg.