New Generation Subaru WRX pleases sport audience
By M. J. FRUMKIN & J. E. KUYPER
Subaru's lone entry in the sport sedan market is the WRX, and it is a good one.
For model year 2016 the new-generation Subaru WRX and WRX STI sport compact sedans wear bold new aero body design, and stiffer, more agile chassis.
The 2016 Subaru's WRX models come equipped with a 268-horsepower 2.0-liter direct injection turbo Boxer engine, while the WRX STI is packed with Subaru's 305-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged/intercooled Boxer engine, teamed exclusively with a specially reinforced six-speed manual gearbox.
Subaru's iconic boxer engine (two banks of flat pistons horizontally opposed to each other) has been tweaked to promote the WRX into a road rocket.
With the six-speed manual transmission, automotive media testing has clocked the 2016 WRX racing from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds. With the optional continuously variable transmission, the time was 5.9 seconds.
This is remarkable as the WRX functions as a four-door, five-passenger all-wheel-drive sedan, not a racetrack two-door coupe or roadster. A company relative, the rear-wheel-drive BRZ, is Subaru's entry in the two-door sport coupe market.
A WRX with the CVT mated to the 2-liter, 268-horsepower twin turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine was recently tested. Engine response was instantaneous with no turbo lag. The CVT supplanted the standard six-speed manual with barely a noticeable difference in performance.
Another highlight of this WRX is the stopping power. Front and rear disc brakes bring the 3,450-pound five-door, all-wheel-drive sport sedan to a stop in a tested 105 feet. This puts the WRX, as far as braking is concerned, in the same class as rear-wheel-drive $60,000 (and more) sport coupes.
The recently tested WRX was a Limited model with the CVT and was priced from $31,595. With the standard six-speed manual, the starting price of a Limited model is, roughly, a thousand dollars less.
The Limited brings a host of upgrades to the base $27,390 WRX, such as wide P275 (as opposed to P235s) performance tires mounted on 18-inch (not 17 inchers) aluminum alloy wheels, leather seats (heated in front) and interior trim, power driver's seat, power glass sunroof, LED low-beam headlamps and "welcome" lighting, which means the name of the vehicle is reflected on the outside parked surface when a door is opened.
Befitting a sport sedan, the WRX wears a defined air scoop on the rounded hood in front and a spoiler, although modest in height, atop the trunk. Front fenders are creased and squared-off. The 18-inch alloy wheels are supported by five sharp-looking V-spokes. There are fog lights in front and four exhaust tips in the rear.
Components of an independent, four-wheel suspension system include double wishbones, struts, steel lower L-arms, coil springs, and stabilizer bars front and rear. The ride is soft compared to the sportier (2.5-liter, 305 horsepower) but harsher STI model of the WRX.
Within the driver-focused, five-passenger interior, is Alcantara seating surfaces accented by red and black bolsters and red stitching. The driver sits behind the flat-bottom steering wheel in whiplash-reducing performance-design seat, and for the first time in a WRX STI, availability of a Harman/Kardon premium audio system.
The audio system can be six or nine speakers and it includes AM-FM-satellite radio, single compact disc player, auxiliary input jack, iPod capability, USB port and Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, iTunes tagging and an auxiliary input jack.
A $4,095 option package on the tested Limited WRX included a nine-speaker Harmon-Kardon 440-watt sound system, keyless entry and smart start (push a button on the dashboard), plus Subaru's Starlink and EyeSight systems.
Starlink includes a seven-inch color information/entertainment touchscreen with navigation, rear vehicle detection, blind spot detection, lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert systems.
The cutting edge EyeSight driver assist technology includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning and lane keep assist systems. It also has fog lights that follow, up to 15 degrees, steering turns.
Standard safety equipment includes traction and stability controls, an antilock braking system and eight airbags.
Amenities include power and heated exterior mirrors, four power windows with express up and down in front, cruise control, air conditioning, power door locks, intermittent wipers, cup holders, four grab handles, storage bins and map lights.
If you need to haul some cargo, the new WRX and WRX STI provide an EPA trunk volume rating of 12.0 cubic feet and it is lighted and carpeted. The split rear seats can be folded flat allowing access to the trunk.
Subaru's reputation in the United States has been built on all-wheel-drive sedans and sport utility crossovers. The WRX joins that AWD lineup leaving the RWD BRZ as the exception.
Warranty coverage is three years or 36,000 miles with 24-hour roadside assistance and five years or 60,000 miles on the powertrain.
FAST FACTS
Vehicle: Limited model of
2016 Subaru WRXType: all-wheel-drive, four-door, five-passenger compact sport sedan
Price: $31,595
Delivery: $795
Engine: 2-liter, 268-horsepower, twin turbocharged boxer four-cylinder
Transmission: continuously variable
Fuel tank: 15.9 gallons
Fuel: premium
Wheelbase: 104.3 inches
Length: 180.9 inches
Width: 70.7 inches
Height: 58.1 inches
Weight: 3,450 pounds
Trunk: 12 cubic feet
Leg room: 43.3 inches front, 35.4 inches rear
Tires (275), alloy wheels: 18-inch
Suspension: struts front, double wishbone rear, stabilizer bars
Turn circle: 35.4 feet
Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles with roadside assistance, five years or 60,000 miles on powertrain
Information: www.subaru.com