300hp Subaru Levorg run-out gets more JDM muscle

Tokyo motor show reveal makes us even more jealous of Japan's performance estate line-up...

Subaru has given those of us not residing in Japan a reason to be even more jealous with the new Levorg 2.0GT Eyesight V-Sport. The suspected run-out model mixes the marque's top-spec 300hp 2.0-litre motor and Bilstein damping with new bits, including black 18-inch wheels, black bumper trim and other black body details, to add to the car's thumping turbocharged boxer vocals.

The JDM estate - which has exactly twice the power of the Britain's sole Levorg engine offering, the naturally aspirated 2.0 boxer - sticks with the same symmetric all-wheel drive system as the regular 2.0GT model, so ought to provide plenty of traction despite all that grunt. As the GT in its name suggests, this engine-chassis combo is rated as a softer, more forgiving wagon setup than its WRX equivalent by automotive titles in Subaru's closer-to-home markets. Although it does still retain a CVT as its only gearbox option.

While the V-Sport's USP compared to other Levorgs is that more aggressive look, it does also come with pretty much all of the model's options boxes ticked as standard. Inside, there are bolstered sports seats and piano black trim, while the tech list includes Subaru's top-spec infotainment system and its full suite of Eyesight driver assist features. And given that in Japan this model starts at 3,150,000 yen, about £22,564, it looks exactly like the affordable performance wagon Subaru's range would strongly benefit from were it to be launched in Britain.

Our hopes will soon turn to the Levorg's successor, due out sometime after the middle of 2020 with a new 1.8 boxer motor and refreshed look. It was actually revealed at the Tokyo motor show alongside the present car's V-Sport variant, where Subaru announced that the smaller flat-four engine would introduce new lean-burn technology to boost fuel economy, and come with the brand's next-generation suite of driver assist technology. Here's hoping that sensible offering will be topped by a plus 300hp version that might actually head to Blighty this time around!