By: IOL Motoring Staff
Subaru fans have endured a long wait for this one, but the all-new WRX is finally a reality, at least for customers abroad.
Revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, the new performance sedan sets itself further apart from the Impreza it's based on, with a totally unique front end design - complete with hawk-eye headlights and a large hexagonal grille - to go with the flared fenders, lightweight 17-inch alloys, bold diffuser and tail spoiler.
Sadly it's nowhere near as flashy as the concept car that Subaru used to tease our taste buds earlier this year.
A SMALLER BOXER
There's been nothing in the way of revolution beneath the bonnet either, but let's remember that we're still expecting an STi to drop in sometime soon.
In the new US-market WRX, the previous 2.5-litre engine has been replaced by a slightly more powerful 2-litre unit. The Rex's flat-four turbopetrol now features direct fuel injection and pushes 200kW at 5600rpm and 349Nm from 2000rpm, and has an easier task at hand because the new WRX is lighter than the previous model.
Naturally, its urge is transferred to all four wheels via a six-speed gearbox and Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. Buyers can also opt for an eight-speed 'Sport Lineartronic' CVT trannie with an eight speed shifting mode. Yet unless Subaru has pulled off a miracle with this shifting mode, we cannot - for the life of us - figure out why a WRX buyer would want to touch a soulless CVT, even with a barge pole.
IT’S BETTER BENEATH
While its predecessors were already known for their peerless agility and stability around corners, engineers have improved the package further by increasing body stiffness and further fine-tuning the suspension geometry. What's more, the new Rex features Active Torque Vectoring and Vehicle Dynamics Control in its electronic arsenal.
As the new sedan sits on a longer wheelbase, interior space has improved for all occupants, who are also treated to a more premium experience thanks to the use of carbon and metal trim accents, and greater use of soft-touch materials, throughout the cabin.
The driver faces a new flat-bottom steering wheel, along with a 3.5-inch LCD colour screen and an upper display to hook you up with all the vital data, including the turbo boost pressure.
The new WRX is expected to reach South African shores by May 2014 and its engine specification may not necessarily match that of the US model mentioned in this story. More details will be announced nearer to its launch date.