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Subaru Reinvents Impreza WRX
Thanks to generocity and hospitality of Subaru Of America, I bring you some of the first detailed pictures of the upcoming Subaru Impreza WRX 5-door hatchback...
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I am sure the internet will soon be flooded with fancied articles about
the WRX, but I will keep it simple and to the point and try to mention
those facts that matter the most.
In few words, the new WRX is a breath of fresh air. New. Completely new
and redisigned from the bottom up. The only carried over aspects of the
car are the proven drivetrain. WRX gets the newer 2.5L turbo motor with
5MT or 4AT. Then the front seats look familar. The rest is all new
flesh and blood.
The hatch, or the 5-door as they call it now (IT IS NOT A WAGON) has
~3" longer wheelbase. Overall length of the car is increased by less
than half a foot. But, it not not look bigger. The rear bumper has much
les overhand, unlike the current wagons and sedans. The WRX is also
50lbs lighter than the current WRX models (not STi). But, as I found
out, it was achived with no aluminum body work. the trunk and the hood
are both sheet metal. On one hand its bad, on the other, it means that
aftermarket parts will lighten the car even more. The dreaded front
"subframe" is gone too. That allowed the engine to be positioned lower
by another 10mm.
Rear suspension is brand new too. Double wishbone with upper A-arm. Not
only will this improve handling, but also allow for more trunk space in
its "hatched" version. Pre-production WRXs had "small" breaks and it is
unknown if they will be replaced with the 4-pots. Hub PCD is 5x100 with
original +55 offset. I was hoping for 5x114 with lower offset to allow
us to have more options for custom wheels.
Another turn off for me personally are framed windows. While the doors
close much better and provide additional rigidity and support, I just
hate smacking my head into them everytime I exit framed door cars, hehe.
The hood is now held in place with hood struts (thank you!) and the
hood scoop is huge, sitting in the middle of the hood. That reminds me
of another awesome hatch, the Pulsar GT-R. The scoop is not removable
but seeing how big it is on the WRX I can only imagine what it will
look like on the STi when it comes out. And yes, the STi is in works.
It will be offered only as a hatch. Currently, US is the only country
that gets WRX Sedan. Subaru completely and totally will be
concentrating on the hatch as their "favorite".
On the inside, the WRX is better than every. Navi, audio/video inputs,
6 airbags, folding rear seats, stereo controls on the steering wheel.
The materials used also feel nicer. Close to those used in Tribeca and
Legacy. The gauge cluser is very nice with red back lighting and
familar "Defi-ish" needles. The seats are heated.
I am very excited about the car. I advise everyone to be patient and
wait to see it in person if it does not appeal to you. It looks
absolutely gourgeous and fresh. Feels like a much more of a complete
car. It also leaves A LOT of room for us, enthusiasts, to improve and
modify what we want.
The price is estimated to be around $25,000 and they will be for sale
in the fall of this year. STi's are due sometime next year.
If you guys have any questions, please ask.
Specs:
Body: Styles 4-door, 5-passenger 5-door, 5-passenger
Engine: 4-cyl. horizontally opposed (Boxer), double overhead-cam (DOHC),
turbocharged/intercooled
Displacement: 2.5-liter
Horsepower: 224 @ 5,200 rpm
Torque: 226 @ 2,800 rpm
Drivetrain: Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard
Transmission types: Standard: 5-speed manual, 4-speed electronic automatic with
SPORTSHIFT manual control
Chassis: Unitized body construction with Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame structure
Suspension: 4-wheel independent
Front: Strut-type with lower L-arm
Rear: Double wishbone with upper A-arm
Brakes: Power assisted 4-wheel disc with 4-channel, 4-sensor anti-lock
brake system (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Steering: Rack-and-pinion with power assist
Wheels: 17 x 7.0JJ aluminum alloy
Tires: 205/50 R17 all-season
Wheelbase: 103.1 in. (2,620 mm)
Length: 4-door: 180.3 in. (4,580 mm) 5-door: 173.8 in. (4,415 mm)
Height: 58.1 in. (1,475 mm)
Width: 68.5 in. (1,740 mm)
Fuel capacity: 16.9 gal.
Curb weight: 5-speed manual 3,142 lbs. (1,425 kg), 4-speed automatic 3,208 lbs. (1,455 kg)
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Subaru Reinvents Impreza WRX
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