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The new WRX is a refined sedan for Subaru fans who left the life of car modifications behind. Cool is now grown up, and street credit is standard on the latest iteration, writes Wheels24's Janine Van der Post.
When I was younger, I got pulled into the foray of car modifications, as many petrolheads did, even before The Fast and The Furious franchise movies gave birth to a frenzy of suped-up car culture. Whether you drove your mom's old Daihatsu Charade or a Toyota Tazz, if it had wheels, you could bet your bottom dollar it would get some kind of modification. Whether it was a new stainless steel exhaust system, spinners for your wheels (yes, remember this was a trend), stickers to decorate your car, or even hide a dent (sticker bomb phase). I could go on forever.
My first car was a VW Golf Mk2 GTS named Lucy. The first mods I gave her were 17" Apex rims on low-profile tyres. I had a friend who worked at an exhaust shop, so naturally, she got a stainless steel exhaust system. Then came the sound system: two times nine-year-old IMPP subwoofers I bought from a taxi driver, a chrome Jackhammer amp and the rest of the works that came with a banging sound system that got my car the nickname 'A-Bass'. To be fair, I had a massive A-Bass Audio sticker on my rear windscreen to promote my friends' company back then; they had installed my sound.
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My 'Scooby' tailpiece
But it was the exhaust pipe I wanted to go with my system that made my friend go, "Are you nuts?". I said I wanted a tailpipe like the one on the Scooby Impreza WRX STI. Because really, that was one of the cars that every young boy and girl-racer looked up to—the car with the standard mods, straight off the showroom floor. The STI model was even better than the standard WRX because it had a larger rear spoiler and really cool rims, of which you could find Impreza JDM replicas on the aftermarket. It also had all-wheel drive and a sound you could define with your eyes closed from a top-end run distance (800m to 1km).
I digress. But, I insisted on my 'Scooby' tailpiece. My friend reluctantly agreed and said don't cry when your tailpiece breaks off and you need to fix your exhaust. Naturally, I didn't listen, and naturally, he had to weld back the tailpiece twice before I finally decided to listen to him.
But the point is, even in the standard version, the WRX was the role model we all aspired our cars to be. It ticked all the boxes straight from the mothership. The normal WRX was not as obnoxious as the Impreza WRX STI, but it sufficed. Also, consider the current STI is the last we'll ever see as we know it since the next version will only be fully electric.
The new WRX car is so much better.
Ticks all those boxes
I don't drive like I used to, especially when my young daughter is in the car, and none of the things that were so highly important to me in my early twenties is even an afterthought now. Okay, perhaps not all of it. I still like a good amount of power and great looks, and the car should sound good too. This new WRX definitely ticks all those boxes, and it still turns heads wherever you go.
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There are two derivatives available in the line-up: the WRX Manual and the WRX tS ES - I have been driving the latter. In the Manual derivative, the 2.4-litre turbocharged Boxer engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The WRX tS ES derivative brings the newly-developed 8-speed Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT) that is up to 50% faster than before, and you can definitely feel it when you're driving.
Subaru's WRX tS ES derivative is also fitted as standard with the Si-Drive Performance Management system that allows drivers to tap into this premium sports sedan's multi-faceted driving mode setup.
It's still all-wheel drive and has five driving modes: Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual. Flick the car into Sport or Sport+ via the mode button on the steering wheel, and you get thrown back into your seat just a bit, reminding you of the 202kW (5kW more than before) and 320Nm on tap.
The new WRX is really hot
Its driving dynamics are refined, but so is the entire car, which makes it ideal for any driving condition, whether you're taking a slow cruise, gunning it on a deserted open road, or the daily commute to work. And perhaps some will feel that Subaru should have gone back to its roots and produced a version closer to the past to breathe new life into the brand and ramp up local sales. But that is no longer their target audience. Instead, Subaru hopes to pique the interest of the more mature buyer: the guy or girl who owned a Scooby back in their day and already has children out of a booster seat. But, at the same time, it's definitely aiming at the younger generation too, the millennials.
The new WRX is really hot. No qualms in the styling department, and it's been evident on the school run when every little boy and girl screamed, "Look at that cool car!"
It's 10mm lower than the previous model, and Subaru has not gotten rid of its signature bonnet scoop. The hexagonal grille takes centre stage at the front of the car, while multi-functional LED, Steering Responsive Headlights (SRH) further complement the wider and more aggressive stance. The side profile is defined by the sporty side garnishes that emphasise the low centre of gravity with incorporated air outlets at the trailing edges of the front and rear wheels to minimise any trapped air.
At the rear, the bumper houses an integrated diffuser that stabilises airflow as it exits from underneath the car. The rear spoiler serves the dual purpose of converting guided airflow into rear-end stability. Wheels for the South African market come in 18-inch sizing wrapped in 245/40 contact rubber.
The Eyesight Driver Assist system
It also features the most advanced version of its intelligent system unique to Subaru, known as the Eyesight Driver Assist system, which runs off the new 11.6-inch Starlink interface. Yet, I find it ironic that when I was driving the new model, I felt like the young adult from two decades ago. The system is so intuitive it recognises the driver's facial features; it even allows you to enter a display name and icon of your choice once you register your profile. When you get behind the steering wheel, the car scans your face, pulls up your profile, and greets you. It also remembers how you set your seat and is linked to the driver monitoring system, which can be set up into five different modes. Yes, it even remembers your driving style.
Stare out your side windows, and the car tells you to "Keep your eyes on the road!" or to stay alert when you don't move when the car ahead pulls away at a traffic light.
Because the tS ES model comes standard with Subaru's EyeSight 4.0 Driver Assistance System, its also rated as the safest WRX yet. The automaker says enhancements have been made, including an improved field of view from the dual camera set, and it offers a wealth of driving assistance, including a Pre-Collision Braking system, Autonomous Emergency Steering, Lane Departure Prevention, Adaptive Cruise and Steering Control, Traffic Sign Recognition and Intelligent Speed Limiter.
Exceptional dynamics
It's a boon to drive and sits quite firmly on the road. Subaru says its Driver Monitoring System is available on both models and uses a camera installed above the multimedia system and monitors driver behaviour to support safe driving further. While it might be safe to drive, it also offers exceptional dynamics. Sure the raspy sound isn't what you'd expect, but there's a bit of a growl, especially when you select the sport mode, and you physically feel the surge of power.
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Naturally, your fuel consumption will depend on how you drive. And, with such a sporty vehicle and good looks to boot, you're inclined to keep your right foot in the corner just a tad bit more than needed when you're on the highway. Heavier driving will see an average fuel consumption of 11.0-litres/100km. But, cruise around on a school run or keep the needle below 100km/h, and I saw the consumption drop down to as little as 7.2-litres/100km.
Pricing
Before you say it's too expensive, consider that an Audi A4 S-line 2.0-litre makes 110kW and is priced at R795 700, while a 3.0-litre Audi S4 with 260kW is priced at R1 040 100. The BMW 3 Series 318i base model with a 2.0-litre engine delivering 115kW/250Nm starts from R755 000 without any additional features. Anything you would like to add will be an extra cost. The M Sport 330i model with 190kW/400Nm will set you back R940 000.
The WRX 2.4DIT Manual model is priced at R759 000, while the WRX 2.4DIT tS ES CVT model is rather pricey on paper at R859 000. But, you're getting a car packed with standard features filled to the brim with superior technological systems, and a really decent, enjoyable drive.
Each WRX is sold with a three-year or 75 000km Maintenance Plan and a five-year or 150 000km Warranty.
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