Overview
IF IT’S too loud, you’re too previous.
As soon as upon a time, that was a easy and efficient method to let that the music you’re listening to – or the sports activities sedan you’re driving (or wish to drive) – now not suited your demographic. However what if, somewhat than alienating the “listener”, the music was merely turned down, performed at slower tempo and extra subtle?
That’s precisely what Subaru has completed with its newest WRX – and, what’s extra, the Shibuya-based producer makes no bones about it.
On the launch of the newest iteration of the Japanese sports activities sedan, the corporate brazenly admitted the fifth technology WRX was aimed toward a “extra mature” and “much less boy-racer” viewers than earlier than. And in some methods, that’s fully effective. I imply, as a top-10 importer I’m certain Subaru is aware of its buyer higher than I do…
However in selecting to cater virtually solely to current prospects – and in softening the WRX whereas concurrently axing its hardest-charging STi variant – Subaru has forgotten a somewhat essential piece of the efficiency automobile puzzle… that halo fashions entice new and youthful consumers to the model.
To have a look at it one other manner, contemplate that the brand new WRX is barely 5kW extra highly effective than the outgoing mannequin. It has the identical peak torque worth and the identical 0-100km/h time as earlier than, however is, on the identical time, specified with a 400cc bigger engine, which, like the rest of the bundle, is smoother and extra refined, however not edgier.
In fact, the gross sales pitch is that smoother is healthier, and extra refined is what the shopper needs. However if you cease and contemplate the success rivals reminiscent of Hyundai and – I can’t consider I’m typing this – Toyota are having fun with from providing vehicles with slightly extra mongrel, it appears Subaru might have very properly bought the farm. Time will inform.
Stepping away from the elephant within the room, the brand new WRX is certainly every thing its maker claims it to be.
Extra comfy? Verify. Extra refined? Verify. Quieter? Verify. Slower? Effectively, it’s actually no quicker than the outgoing mannequin. Actually, it’s 0.3 seconds slower within the 0-100km/h sprint than the second-generation WRX (circa 2000) – and, curiously, “boasts” precisely the identical mixed cycle gasoline consumption determine (10.0L/100km).
Additionally it is the least highly effective and torquey all-wheel drive entrant in its competitor set, and the second least highly effective and second-slowest accelerating mannequin behind all front-wheel drive rivals other than the Volkswagen Golf GTI (see desk beneath).
However that’s all considerably immaterial if you’re promoting a automobile to individuals who’ve already owned or have at all times desired to personal your hotted-up small sedan (or wagon, which supersedes the Levorg). Subaru Australia says WRX consumers will store a WRX virtually regardless of the competitors on supply elsewhere, and insists the adjustments made in “maturing” its newest Rex are totally what its goal market needs.
Given I virtually match the target market, let’s discover out if no less than that a lot is true.
