19 May 2014
All grown up
Subaru’s WRX sedan went on sale in Japan in 1992 as the flagship, go-fast Impreza model and around that time it debuted on the WRC (World Rally Championship). A hatchback version arrived in 1993.
The WRX quickly earned a reputation as a pocket rocket and WRC driver Colin McRae drove one to victory in 1995 to win the driver’s championship and kick start Subaru’s dominance in the sport that led to a three year consecutive World manufacturers’ title winning streak.
The WRX (World Rally Cross) badge reflects the rally inspired technologies that include suspension upgrades, a feisty force-fed four-pot engine and permanent AWD setup. Finding popularity among young, enthusiastic drivers wishing to be associated with its rally success and due to its high performance at a relatively affordable price, the WRX hasn’t always been seen as the socially acceptable choice.
But the 2014 WRX is now being labelled a sophisticated family sedan as Subaru attempt to distance itself from its raucous past as a ‘boy racer’ car and lure family buyers, in search of a practical yet fun to drive car.
A gutsy move
Subaru continue to use their trusted horizontally opposed boxer motor but the former 2.5L turbo engine has been binned in favour of a 2.0L turbocharged flat four. The decrease in capacity doesn’t detract from the performance, instead the fourth-generation WRX boasts a 2kW/7Nm increase for a respectable 197kW/350Nm and the fuel economy is claimed to have improved by 11.5% at 9.2L/100km for the manual and 8L/100km for the auto.
The preceding five-speed manual ‘box gains an extra cog and now has six forward gears and the two-pedal brigade will be pleased with the introduction of Subaru’s SLT (Sport Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission) auto to the WRX range. The advantages of using CVTs are smoother power delivery and fuel economy gains due to seamless gear-ratio changes. During normal driving the SLT performs like a conventional auto, but while this is the very best of CVTs, its true colours are revealed under hard acceleration when the revs go sky high minus the thrust. Power is transferred to the road wheels through Subaru’s acclaimed AWD system.
The auto versions feature Subaru’s SI-DRIVE (Subaru Intelligent Drive) that allows drivers to adjust the driving characteristics from three selectable modes. The three modes are Intelligent, Sport and Sport Sharp. Intelligent mode delivers smooth acceleration for optimum fuel efficiency while Sport improves throttle response and Sport Sharp maximises the throttle responsiveness to be more akin to an on-off switch. It also allows enthusiastic drivers to make use of the steering-wheel paddle shifters to manually change through the auto’s eight programmed steps.
The sedan’s large bonnet scoop and boxy wheel arches give the WRX a muscular appearance while the 235/45R17 Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres fitted to darkened mag-wheels attempt to plug the large arches. Forward visibility has improved with the introduction of quarter glass in place of the wing mirrors which have been relocated further back on the doors and the extensive use of high tensile steels on the vehicles structure improves body rigidity. The WRX will no longer earn the title as a hot-hatch as the latest incarnation is only available in sedan.
The tuned suspension setup delivers accurate handling in the tight turns while keeping passenger comfort to a desirable level and thanks to the AWD system, there’s plenty of grip on the tarmac.
Stopping power has improved with the fitment of larger brake disks and brake pads that can handle the heat while active safety features include EBD, BA, VDC and the addition of Active Torque-Vectoring control reduces understeer by applying the brake to the inside wheel during hard cornering. Seven airbags form part of the passive safety system and the WRX is awarded a five-star ANCAP crash test rating.
The interior ambience is refined with increased roominess as well as soft-touch materials throughout and Premium models gain a quality Harmon Kardon sound system, leather upholstery, sunroof, rain-activated wipers, navigation, dusk-sensing LED headlights and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat.
When the first WRX arrived in New Zealand it was stickered at $49,990 and over two decades later the pricing starts at $1,000 less at $48,990 for the entry level manual option and $49,990 for the auto. The Premium models add $5,000 to the price.