According to response.jp, the automaker, who left the series in 2008 due to the worsening economic climate at the time, has been struggling from declining sales in Europe ever since its exit from the series a decade ago.

The successful re-entry of Toyota last year though, as well as Japan’s Sporting Committee putting in a bid to once again host a round of the WRC in said year, has however stirred speculation that the brand responsible for taking the late Colin McRae and Richard Burns, as well as Petter Solberg to the world title in 1995, 2001 and 2003, plans on making its coming back with a model inspired by the Viziv Performance concept (pictured) shown in Tokyo last year.

Despite being a far cry from the iconic Impreza, the publication claims that the intended rival for the Yaris GRMN, Ford Fiesta ST, Hyundai i20 and Citroen C3 that currently competes in the series, will come powered by a new 1.8-litre turbocharged flat-four Boxer engine reportedly slated for the second generation Levorg, and which could allegedly debut in production guise as early as next year.