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Manila Bulletin devider Drive devider Reincarnated twice

Reincarnated twice

Published Jun 9, 2022 03:19 pm

The Subaru WRX is back, in sedan and wagon form

The legendary Subaru WRX is back in an all new-generation, continuing its legacy of offering sporty driving paired with practicality. Motor Image Pilipinas (MIP), distributor of Subaru vehicles, announced its arrival in both sedan and station wagon forms.

The shape

The new WRX features design inspired by Subaru’s Viziv Performance Concept, revealed at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. It features a striking hexagonal grille, flanked by sleek LED headlamps.  The classic WRX trademark, a functional scoop cut into the hood, is present and accounted for. Along the side are eye-catching fender extensions blacked-out lower sections to accentuate the road-hugging stance. It rolls on 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 245/40 R18 high-performance tires. Behind is a boot-lid spoiler, LED combination lamps, and a very aggressive bumper integrating diffusers for a “Tokyo turbojet” rear. 

Both models are built on the newest iteration of the Subaru Global Platform, designed for better rigidity, safety, and improved performance driving capability.

The WRX’s styling isn’t simply for show as airflow around and below the vehicle has been designed to ensure stability on the move, reduce air resistance and perfect the front-rear balance of the whole vehicle, especially at higher speeds.

The powertrain

Propelling it is Subaru’s turbocharged FA24 boxer engine. It’s a 2.4-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder, 16-valve direct-injection unit. It’s fed by a turbocharger (twin-scroll turbine with computer-controlled valves for the wastegate and air bypass). This allows it to produce 275-PS at 5,600 rpm and 350-Nm at 2,000-5,200 rpm.

Two transmissions are available for the WRX. The sedan variant gets a choice of hardcore six-speed manual or souped-up “eight-speed” Lineartronic CVT. The wagon variant, in keeping with its supercruiser character, is only available as an automatic.

The 6-speed manual is paired with a viscous-coupling locking center differential to split the torque evenly, 50:50, for Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

The Lineartronic CVT, by contrast, offers the convenience of an auto, plus the excitement of a quasi-sequential, thanks to “sports shifting control” algorithms and, for drivers who prefer to play with the ratios themselves, paddle shifters. It also comes with SI-Drive modes for variable shifting behavior. It also gets Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with Variable Torque Distribution.

The chassis

The WRX rides on sport-tuned suspension with geometry optimized for great control and good comfort over all kinds of roads. The electric power steering has been changed to a dual-pinion design for a more natural steering feel. The WRX’s multi-mode VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) has been reprogrammed to include a Track mode.

The sporty cockpit

Awaiting the driver is red-stitched leather adorning the center console, door panels and passenger-side dashboard. Leather seats are in the CVT WRX and classic fabric seats in the manual WRX. The instrument cluster is a classic two-gauge layout, with a 4.2-inch LCD display in between. A digital boost gauge which records the peak psi value can be called up for some entertainment.

Drivers will also love the leather-wrapped transmission shift knob and rubber-studded aluminum pedals. The driver’s seat is ultra-supportive and includes 10-way power adjustment in the auto variants.

The most upscale feature in the new WRX is its 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment display, with climate control, vehicle settings and other important functions. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, voice recognition and front dual USB ports are ready to connect to your personal devices.

The trunk of the WRX has a useful volume of 414 liters to accommodate a pair of golf bags, two pieces of large luggage, a stroller or a folding bicycle. Naturally, the WRX Wagon is the more versatile vehicle. Its cargo capacity of 492 liters is expandable to a maximum of 1430 liters by folding down the entire 40:20:40 split-fold backseat.

The reassuring safety

The WRX CVT variants are equipped with EyeSight version 4 and boasts of significant improvements to the hardware and software. There are upgrades like Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering Function; Pre-Collision Braking with Autonomous Emergency Steering; and several other new features.

It also comes with Subaru’s Driver Monitoring System (DMS), which uses an infrared camera to detect whether the driver is distracted or tired/sleepy/drowsy and promptly alerts him or her.

Other WRX advanced safety features include an array of airbags, a Ring-shaped Reinforcement Frame, Steering Responsive Headlights and a rear view camera, with the WRX auto variants adding High Beam Assist, Reverse Automatic Braking and Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection.

Tuned by STI

Available on indent are the top-spec WRX tS and WRX tS Wagon. These include upgrades like electronically controlled dampers with a dedicated ECU, and enhanced SI-Drive. They also get a Harman/Kardon 10-speaker hi-fi system with subwoofer and eight-channel amplifier, and a power rear gate with hands-free operation. Both WRX tS models also sport an “STI” logo on the steering wheel, illuminated red meter rings, and “tS” badging on the boot lid.

“The all-new WRX is here to ignite your senses. From its stunning exterior and premium interior, to the sporty sound and powerful performance of its new 2.4-litre turbo boxer engine, the invigorating smell of the exhaust and the exciting handling, the WRX gives a raw driving experience that makes burning rubber fun. I am very confident that both the all-new WRX and WRX Wagon will totally ignite your senses, and remain crowd favorites that are much-loved by Subaru enthusiasts here.”

The Subaru WRX starts at P2,508,000 for the WRX sedan M/T, up to P2,658,000 for the WRX sedan CVT. The WRX CVT wagon is priced at P2,558,000.

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