Subaru WRX
The Subaru Impreza WRX may look just like a mild-mannered Impreza with a body kit and pretty alloy wheels, but make no mistake, this is a genuine sports car in the way it drives and performs, and is more than a match for many sports cars that cost more than twice as much. The description “wolf in sheep’s clothing” fits the WRX very well.
My Ride - Front On
Right from its introduction back in 1994, the WRX has been a hit with buyers, but the car has never been as popular as it is today. There a number of reasons for that and by no means the least of them is improved value for money.
With currency fluctuations, prices rose sharply in 1995, but in late 1996 Subaru knocked $4,000 off the price and then in September this year, there was a further $1,000 reduction. The net result is that at $39,990 (for the manual sedan), the WRX is back at exactly the same price it was when first released.
My Ride - For Behind
The equation becomes even more attractive when you take into account the many changes and improvements introduced during the WRX’s almost four year model life.
For the 1997 model year, the car got more power and torque, revised exterior styling, striking black and white trimmed (and super supportive) sports front seats, higher performance tyres and a factory fitted security immobiliser system. At the same time, automatic transmission became available on both WRX sedans and hatchbacks.
The 1998 model year versions announced in September 1997 have new 16 inch alloy wheels with lower profile tyres for even higher levels of grip and sharper steering, while on the inside there’s a new dash design, new white instrumentation with black highlights, and a low fuel warning light.
Back in 1994, the WRX introduced a truly memorable driving experience in terms of its performance, its handling and roadholding, and its braking, and the changes since then have ensured even higher exhilaration levels for the experienced driver.
Certainly, the increased power has sliced considerable amounts off the WRX’s acceleration times, but even more impressive is the way the performance is delivered.
With maximum torque produced lower down the rev range, the latest WRX displays excellent flexibility in the higher gears. Stunning performance is available from 3,500 rpm upwards, but the engine will still pull strongly from 2,500 rpm, so if you don’t feel like swapping gears too often (in the manual version), it’s not going to matter all that much. For example, the manual WRX accelerates well from just over 90 km/h in fifth gear, providing very good response for freeway overtaking, without the need to be always changing down a gear or two.
It would be irresponsible to have the WRX’s extremely high performance levels without effective handling and braking, and I’m happy to report that both these areas are well and truly covered.
The amount of grip afforded by the combination of full time all wheel drive, a finely tuned sports suspension package and the high performance Bridgestone tyres, is exceptional. The WRX is wonderfully agile and well balanced, and handles particularly well through tight corners.
The brakes did everything expected of them in our testing, pulling the car up straight in very short distances in emergency stops and displaying excellent resistance to fade under repeated heavy use.
| Engine | ||
| Engine Type | Horizontally opposed, four cylinder | |
| Capacity in Litres | 2.0L | |
| Induction | Fuel injection, turbocharged | |
| Fuel Recommendation | PULP | |
| Claimed max. power | 155 kW @ 5600 rpm | |
| Claimed max. torque | 290 Nm @ 4000 rpm | |
| Power (kW per 1000kg) | 77.7 kW/ litre | |
| Transmission | ||
| Type | Manual / Five speed manual | |
| Wheels | ||
| Alloy | Alloy | |
| Dimensions | 16 | |
| Tyres | ||
| Supplied | Bridgestone / 205/50 R 16 | |
| Steering | ||
| Turning Circle (measured) | 11.0 metresm | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Mass | 1245 kg | |
| Length | 4340 | |
| Width (including mirrors) | 1690 | |
| Height | 1400 | |
| Ground clearance | 141 | |
| Seating capacity | 5 | |
| Fuel capacity | 60 litres | |
| Towing | ||
| Max. towed mass (trailer plus load) | 750 | |
| NRMA Theft Rating | ||
| Points on scale 0 - 120 (high score is best) | 72 | |
| Acceleration - Test results | ||
| 50 - 80km/h | 2.5 sec (in 3rd gear) | |
| 60 - 100km/h | 3.0 sec (in 3rd gear) | |
| 0 - 80km/h | 4.2 sec | |
| 0 - 100km/h | 4.8 sec | |
| Speed @ 1000RPM | 36.4 km/h | |
| Fuel Consumption | ||
| Best recorded during testing | 9.6 | |
| Worst recorded during testing | 11.3 | |
| Average on test | 10.2 | |
| Braking | ||
| Distance to stop (from 80km/h) | 27.6 | |
| Noise | ||
| Interior noise at constant 80km/h | 69 dB(A | |