The new 2022 Subaru WRX is finally on its way. The brand has just released the image below, giving us a taste of the latest iteration of the rally icon. Once again, Subaru seems to be departing from the design language of past models and looking more towards their concept renderings for inspiration. Happily, it would appear that the brand has stayed as faithful to the concept as regulations will allow.

The 2022 Subaru WRX looks just like the concept

Let’s talk about what we can see in the image, and a little bit about what we can’t. First, the hood. It seems Subaru will be keeping the iconic hood scoop intake for the latest iteration of the perennial street rally car. Moreover, it looks just like the scoop on the concept. Good thing, too, as the concept is a striking thing to look at. We can only hope that the wider hood intake will mean more power for the 2022 Subaru WRX.

As for the actual shape of the car, it’s hard to tell. However, there are a few things that can quickly be picked out. Namely the shape of the rear third of the vehicle. Take a look at the concept below, then back at the real thing, what little of it you can see. Notice the way that the roof drops off more drastically. Likely, this means that the Japanese marque had to curtail some of the body lines on the production car, for one reason or another.

How much will be left on the cutting room floor?

In all likelihood, this won’t be the only thing left on the cutting room floor. Remember Toyota’s FT1 concept? A concept car is a completely unbridled thing, with designers being given carte blanche. Automakers often have to include or exclude design elements to comply with the litany of regulations for fuel efficiency and crash standards. While information from Subaru on the new ‘Rex is scarce, it’s safe to assume the new car won’t be a carbon copy.

For example, those high-waisted doors almost certainly won’t be making it to the new 2022 Subaru WRX. Certain regulations in both the EU and the U.S state that the bodywork of a vehicle cannot protrude past a certain point on the vehicle. Therefore, it’s likely the production model will be a little more narrow than what you see here. Those fancy Aston Martin-esque door handles likely won’t make it either, given the cost to produce something like that.

When we can expect the STI variant

As for the even more hotly anticipated STI variant of the 2022 Subaru WRX, it’s hard to say when we’ll see it. The new ‘Rex is set to be debuted later this year. Thankfully, if history is to repeat itself, we won’t have to wait long. Historically, the STI makes an appearance shortly after the WRX does. The two models are inextricably linked, and it’ll be great to see what Subie has done for this latest iteration of the world’s most iconic rally car for the street.