SUBARU Australia used the current media launch of its BRZ sportscar at Sydney’s Motorsport Park to showcase the primary examples of its new-generation WRX sports activities sedan and its WRX Sportswagon variant, which will likely be launched within the native market through the second quarter of the yr.
The pre-production items arrived in Sydney a mere two weeks earlier than the BRZ media launch and, though the Shibuya-based agency’s native subsidiary pressured that the vehicles didn’t precisely mirror the precise specification that will likely be supplied within the native market upon their introduction in round April or Could, the media have been allowed to have a more in-depth have a look at and sit contained in the newcomers.
Whereas the looks of the WRX has been criticised by some social media commentators, the vehicles’ designs do look notably extra cohesive when considered within the steel.
Developments in LED know-how has enabled Subaru to suit smaller, extra ornate headlamps and shapelier tail-light clusters; such finer detailing contrasts with the chunkier, extra macho parts of the outgoing mannequin, however add distinctiveness and, though the crossover-like cladding (on the bumpers, wheel arches and facet skirts) is an acquired style, it does add eye-catching distinction to the sedan.
“The WRX and WRX Sportswagon are undoubtedly our most vital new mannequin introductions for 2022,” Subaru Australia basic supervisor Blair Learn advised GoAuto Information.
“We have been delighted by the sturdy market demand for the outgoing WRX and WRX STI within the closing two years of the product cycle (the final inventory of which has now been depleted), which augers properly for the brand new vary.
“The brand new mannequin not solely incorporates the entire core components that enabled its predecessors to determine such a wealthy heritage (and constant following), but it surely gives additional parts that may actually broaden the enchantment of the nameplate”, Mr Blair added.
“The WRX Sportswagon, with the added practicality it gives, has the potential to draw new sorts of consumers to WRX and the model.”
In some methods, the approaching arrival of the WRX is much more important than the anticipation for the disclosing of its top-rung STI variant, as a result of the previous has historically outsold the latter by about 7 to three in Australia, Subaru Australia senior product supervisor Goran Popov advised GoAuto.
As for these additional parts that Mr Learn alluded to, the brand new mannequin raises its predecessor’s recreation by advantage of being based mostly on the model’s new international platform, which brings with it enhancements in security and dynamics, in addition to reductions in NVH.
For instance, it retains the lauded symmetrical all-wheel drive system, but in addition rides on a extra superior double wishbone set-up with the bodily suspension stroke prolonged in any respect 4 corners to raised take care of poor street surfaces.
In different phrases, the WRX’s raison d’etre – to supply punchy efficiency and all-wheel-drive dynamism at a fraction of what premium European producers demand for his or her compact sporty hatchback and sedan choices – has been enhanced with sophistication and refinement.
When seated within the new WRX’s cabin – even that of a pre-production unit – it’s evident that Subaru has carried over the hewn-from-solid really feel of the outgoing mannequin’s inside; all of the chunky switchgear and weighty controls are there, however the execution is relatively extra upmarket.
It’s not luxuriously flashy in the way in which that these aforementioned continental marques lavish their vehicles’ interiors with strategically positioned soft-touch surfaces and myriad metallic finishes… Subaru’s strategy remains to be very restrained; the fascia is dominated by a portrait-style 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment array and, though all-digital instrument clusters weren’t fitted to the vehicles proven at SMP, once more, native spec has but to be introduced.
Nonetheless, darkish gray accents, crimson distinction stitching and carbon-fibre look inserts are all there, however the fundamentals – sporty, figure-hugging leather-trimmed entrance seats and an interesting driving place – stay unchanged.
The Levorg – the discontinued station-wagon mannequin that was based mostly on the outgoing WRX – was not practically as fashionable as its sedan siblings, so why ought to the WRX Sportswagon fare any higher? In all probability as a result of it gained’t be marketed as a standalone product with an unfamiliar title, we’d say.
“The brand new Sportswagon is now clearly designated as a member of the WRX household – in different phrases, a extra sensible, life-style oriented variant of the efficiency sedan,” Mr Popov advised GoAuto.
“One of many major issues that may distinguish the new-generation WRX and its Sportswagon variant within the market is the raft of recent onboard applied sciences they incorporate, particularly when it comes to security options, at their respective value factors.
“Efficiency-wise, the WRX is benchmarked in opposition to some premium fashions (on the higher finish – above $40k section) of the small-car section, however, when it comes to particularly security tech, the brand new mannequin will examine favourably with these merchandise’ specs too,” he added.
It’s extensively anticipated that the WRX and WRX Sportswagon will characteristic Subaru’s revised EyeSight Driver Help Expertise with an expanded digicam viewing angle, software program enhancements, plus an digital brake booster to enhance braking responsiveness and efficiency in panic stops.
The protection suite could embrace an upgraded Lane Departure Prevention system, Superior Adaptive Cruise Management with Lane Centring know-how and Computerized Emergency Steering, which works together with the pre-collision braking system (AEB) at speeds beneath 80km/h.
Once more, Subaru Australia was tight-lipped concerning the native specification, though, late final yr, certification paperwork accessed through the Australian authorities’s infrastructure portal confirmed approval had been granted for WRX, WRX RS, and WRX tS derivatives in each physique configurations.
The direct-injection and turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine beneath their bonnets is believed to provide 202kW at 5600rpm and 375Nm from 2000-5200rpm. The Boxer mill will likely be paired with a six-speed guide or ‘eight step’ CVT; the latter normal concern on high-grade Ts variants.
An official 0-100km/h time has but to be revealed, nonetheless based mostly on the efficiency enhancements proven, we anticipate a quantity inside the excessive five-second vary.
“Subaru Australia’s problem for the yr forward was to maintain offering clients with the very best assist (in challenges circumstances) through the nationwide model community,” Mr Blair concluded.
Given ongoing inventory shortages all through the automobile trade “good communication” between the Baulkham Hills-based “firm, the manufacturing unit in Japan and supplier companions throughout Australia can be important, he added.
“We’ll proceed chatting with our clients. We’ll use their suggestions (and relay it to the mom firm) to make sure we proceed bringing optimised merchandise to market”.
