The BRZ’s successor could remain a joint-venture with Toyota and revive an old Subaru badge from the ’80s.It appears Subaru might not be serious about showing Toyota the door for its next halo sports car after all. A new report from CarSales in Australia suggests the automaker’s next-gen flagship and potential BRZ successor could arrive as a spin-off based on Toyota’s highly-anticipated Celica revival.The update arrives as Australia’s intellectual property office just received filings for the “ACX” and “ACX STI” nameplates. But more importantly, the trademark filings are reamplifying rumors surrounding what’s next for Subaru’s standalone sports coupe.The end of the current BRZ is nearThe current BRZ just turned six years old, meaning its successor should be arriving soon. - Credit: SubaruSubaru’s recently been on a mission to remind the world that it knows how to make sports and performance cars. After years of catering to the commuter and family outdoorsy crowd, the Fuji Heavy Industries-owned carmaker is broadcasting its ambitions to make fun cars again.AdvertisementAdvertisementWith the current BRZ coming up to the end of its series production run, the timing couldn’t be any better. The current second-gen model has been with us since 2021. Because it just turned six years-old, fans are wondering what’s next.Additionally, with other Japanese automakers reviving some iconic sports car nameplates, the circumstances are turning fans’ attention towards brands who still haven’t jumped on the bandwagon.With the BRZ aging, and other Japanese automakers bringing back sports cars, Subaru fans are wondering what its next move will be. - Credit: SubaruSubaru’s one of them. But to prove that they still have a pulse, the automaker revealed some enticing STI concepts along with pledges to revive the STI performance brand for fans.And now, it looks like the rumors are getting even hotter for the BRZ.The BRZ’s successor could revive an old badgePrevious rumors suggested Subaru could ditch Toyota for its next sports car effort. The last time Subaru made its own sports coupe was the XT from the 1980s. - Credit: SubaruAdvertisementAdvertisementIn the latest development, rumors say the BRZ could be succeeded by a new model called the ACX and ACX STI. If the name sounds a bit random, it actually isn’t.Subaru previously used ACX to name some of its earlier sports coupe concepts from the 1980s. It was the same period that also gave us some of Subie’s rarest and most desirable models, like the SVX and previously the XT.In fact, Subaru specifically used the “ACX” badge to designate the production XT’s preceding conceptual prototype, the “ACX-II.”Subaru also tried making a sports grand tourer in the 1990s with the SVX. - Credit: SubaruPrevious rumors also suggested Subaru could be parting ways with its partner, Toyota, for the BRZ’s successor. For the past two generations, Toyota and Subaru collaborated to produce the GT86 and BRZ twins.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut now, it appears those rumors of Subaru going on its own for its next-gen sports car aren’t holding water. Additionally, the trademarking of both “ACX” and “ACX STI” implies there could be two versions of Subie’s next-gen sports coupe.The BRZ’s successor may stick to good ‘ol internal combustion powerWord on the street says the BRZ’s replacement could ditch Subaru’s boxer-four for a more conventional turbo inline-four from Toyota - Credit: SubaruOther rumors also suggest the ACX could be Subaru’s next big all-electric breakthrough. Some hearsay hinted that the model could ditch internal combustion power for good.However, this hasn’t been confirmed nor denied by Subaru officially. But the company did say it’s unsure about which direction to go for its future STI models. A notion implied by the debut of the STI Performance-B and Performance-E Concepts at the Japan Mobility Show a few months ago.Regardless of what happens with the BRZ’s successor, we’re just happy Subaru still wants to make fun cars again. - Credit: SubaruBut CarSales latest discovery suggests Subaru might just stick to gas power for the BRZ’s replacement. Whether those rumors align with the ones regarding the model being a Celica spin-off, remain to be officially determined.AdvertisementAdvertisementAbout the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.AdvertisementAdvertisement