IT’S BEEN THE DARLING of performance-minded drivers for decades, and with more power, greater handling precision and bold new exterior styling, Subaru’s long-awaited fifth-generation WRX, is sure to win even more fans.
The car that became an overnight sensation in 1994 and a firm favourite in the years since has been reimagined for 2022, refined and with a broader model range increasing its appeal.
The fifth-generation Subaru WRX has two body styles – Sedan and Sportswagon – with three model variants for each: WRX AWD, WRX AWD RS and WRX AWD tS for the Sedan and WRX Sportswagon AWD, WRX Sportswagon AWD GT and WRX Sportswagon AWD tS.
New WRX Sportswagon will stand as a model in its own right, with both the Sedan and Sportswagon featuring unique specifications tailored to their respective audiences.
“WRX Sportswagon and WRX Sedan have been designed as distinct vehicles to cater for different buyer groups,” Subaru Australia Managing Director Blair Read said of the decision to bring the Sportswagon to market.
“The WRX Sedan is pure fun; a car built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, a car with aggressive styling that proudly carries the WRX heritage, while Sportswagon offers the same WRX performance with the added utility of a wagon layout” he added.
All-new WRX Sedan also incorporates a number of performance-inspired exterior design influences including air outlets located on the trailing edges of the front wheel openings, side garnishes and a lip-style boot spoiler.
Like its predecessors, this latest-generation WRX features bold styling promising exciting driving; its aggressive appearance starting at its prominent hexagonal grille, spilling over the wide, low-set front bumper and flowing back into its bulging fenders.
Black body trims sport side garnishes on the sedan’s front and rear fenders and prominent side sill spoilers feature a hexagon-patterned aerodynamic texture designed to reduce air resistance.
Inside, the cabin features stylish black and grey upholstery on the Sedan and black upholstery on the Sportswagon, with red stitching and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Cloth trim is used for WRX Sedan and Sportswagon while WRX GT Sportswagon uses leather accented trim and WRX RS Sedan and tS Sedan and Sportswagon are trimmed in Ultrasuede.
A new cockpit design features an intuitive layout with highly visible and readily accessible instruments and controls.
The clean instrument layout features prominent tachometer and speedometer displays directly in front of the driver with the engine temperature gauge and fuel gauge respectively integrated into the rev counter and speedometer faces.
A high-resolution 4.2-inch multi-information display with easily recognised colours ensuring high visibility is located between the two main dials. As well, a large central touchscreen for the infotainment system makes easy operation of key systems including:
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
- Digital radio (DAB+)
- Satellite navigation (on selected variants)
- Vehicle settings
All three model grades come to market with an extensive standard equipment list that includes an 11.6-inch central information display, eight airbags, Subaru Vision Assist with Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, dual-zone, climate control air-conditioning, 18-inch alloy wheels, self-levelling LED headlights, Steering Responsive Headlights and LED front fog lights.
While this latest-generation WRX proudly carries the motorsport DNA of the four previous generations, it also brings impressive new technologies that combine with its renowned Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive layout to deliver true performance car values.
For the first time in its history, WRX uses the Subaru Global Platform which has been designed to both enhance the car’s responsiveness by enabling sharper handling and add comfort by reducing unpleasant road vibrations and shaking.
It features full inner-frame construction for high body and chassis rigidity and gives all-new WRX some 14 per cent more front lateral flexing rigidity and 28 per cent more torsional stiffness than its predecessor.
Under the bonnet a new, more powerful direct-injection, turbocharged 2.4-litre, horizontally-opposed four-cylinder Boxer engine delivers a lusty 202kW of power at 5600rpm and 350 Nm from 2000 – 5200rpm. Power is up five kilowatts over the outgoing model and while torque output remains the same, it is produced lower in the rev range, generating high torque from low engine speeds.
New WRX offers buyers two transmission choices; a precision six-speed, close-ratio manual, or the Subaru Performance Transmission with Sports Shift Control for rapid-response gearchanges and Drive Mode Select (on tS variants) so drivers can change the car’s on-road characteristics to suit their own preferences with a variety of driving modes that change WRX’s driving dynamics and character. An ‘Individual’ mode allows full driver customisation.
Electronically controlled dampers debut on selected models to enhance the already sporty handling while refining ride quality. A new dual-pinion electronic steering system reduces steering resistance, for a smooth and linear steering response.
Performance has always come with practicality for WRX, and this latest car is no exception. The sedan’s overall length is up by 75mm, and width has grown by 30mm, ensuring comfortable cabin space with increased shoulder room front and rear while increasing rear seat legroom.
Measuring 4755mm overall, all-new WRX Sportswagon is 85mm longer and 35mm taller than its Sedan counterpart. The wheelbase is 20mm longer than that of the superseded fourth-generation WRX and it is 160mm longer. Overall width is 1795mm and the cargo floor length (with the back seat raised) is 1070mm, making it a very versatile Sportswagon.
All-new WRX’s impressive ride and handling qualities are managed by a fully-independent suspension layout featuring MacPherson-style struts at the front and double rear wishbones, designs chosen to improve handling while maximising driving stability, ride comfort and interior quietness.
WRX and braking is handled by large, power-assisted, ventilated front and rear disc brakes. Low-profile Dunlop SP Sport Maxx sports tyres on 18-inch alloy wheels are also standard across the Sedan range.
Blair Read says this latest generation of Subaru’s WRX performance classic has been hugely anticipated by performance car fans everywhere.
“When the first-generation WRX was launched back in the early 1990s it became an instant classic, a must-have, aspirational vehicle,” Mr Read said.
“It was a rare car, one that immediately achieved immense motorsport success and was able to bring that same rallying and racing DNA to the road at an affordable price.
“The latest-generation WRX incorporates this rich history and continues to extend the WRX legend by again raising the bar as a complete driving package” Mr Read added.
“All-new WRX is affordable fun; an absolute drivers’ car with great balance and control, a vehicle designed and engineered for performance yet one that is amazingly practical,” he continued, “and with the addition of Sportswagon this latest WRX iteration takes that practicality one step further without diminishing the car’s pure enjoyment.”
All-new Subaru WRX pricing starts from $44,990 (plus on road costs) for the WRX Sedan and $49,990 (plus on road costs) for the WRX Sportswagon.