One of those would be the German sedans, such as Audi S4 and S6, BMW M3 and M5 and Mercedes-Benz C and E AMG, while the others are Japanese cars like Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza. The first one defends its high-luxury position achieving a more aggressive look with very subtle changes. Since the other is much cheaper, it focuses on younger drivers through bright colors and several exclusive accessories that look like if they came out of a tuning shop. Both receive several technical improvements, but the German use bigger and more powerful engines. Nevertheless, since they are also much heavier than the Japanese, both groups offer equally distinguished levels of performance.
Since Subaru’s sales have increased at the United States, it became possible to invest in other categories than crossovers and urban sedans. Impreza’s high-performance sibling has been a tradition for Subaru since 1992, so the expectations went high once again when the original car received a new generation in 2011. There were even rumors that it would have an exclusive platform, but they weren’t confirmed. The actual formula is very similar to what Mitsubishi did with the current Lancer Evolution, but since the sporty sibling became so different from the original Impreza, Subaru decided to go all the way and make it deserve being called only WRX, for the first time ever.
This means WRX presents many exterior parts of its own. Front, sides and rear got a sportier look which only mantains Impreza’s base shapes, such as the roof line. Subaru’s typical style elements are still there, but looking more aggressive in a very attractive way. If the interior doesn’t take as much attention, it’s still interesting that it looks like a slightly older car’s. There are modern items such as a big touchscreen for the infotainment central, but the overall design still relies on button controls and features a somewhat old-fashioned instrument cluster. However, it’s necessary to admit that physical controls and displays are still more intuitive to operate, specially when driving. This is why many people still prefer them instead of touching screens.
When it comes to performance, WRX received a quicker electric power steering, bigger front brake discs and a lot of redesigned and structural parts in order to become much stiffer than the outgoing car. Such set receives a four-cylinder 2.0L engine with turbocharger, direct injection and variable valve timing, in order to generate 268 hp and 258 lb-ft – there wasn’t a big number increase from the old car, but the new engine achieves it sooner and with less overall effort. Transmission options will be six-speed manual (0 to 96 kph in 5s4) and CVT (5s9), this one having modes that simulates six and eight-speed automatic. It’s also paired to paddleshifts, symmetrical all-wheel-drive and Variable Torque Distribution.
Lançamento no Brasil (31/07/2015)
Quando se fala em carros esportivos, o pensamento do brasileiro costuma ir a dois grandes grupos: os de baixo custo, cuja diferenciação quase sempre se restringe ao visual, e os de luxo, que trazem performance a luxo e preço a níveis igualmente elevados. No entanto, também há uma série de modelos que formam um interessante meio-termo. Dois deles acabam de ser trazidos pela Subaru, embora com um atraso de dois anos em relação ao lançamento no exterior. O sedã médio WRX volta a ser baseado no Impreza, mas trazendo uma série de alterações profundas para continuar a merecer a fama que conquistou há vários anos. O modelo vem ao país na versão convencional, de conjunto mais urbano, e na STI, esta com temperamento bem mais apimentado.
Custando R$ 147.900, a primeira versão traz um motor 2.0 boxer turbinado, que gera 270 cv e 37 kgfm e é associado a um câmbio CVT. Já o STI justifica os R$ 194.900 usando um motor 2.5 de configuração semelhante, mas que alcança 310 cv e 40 kgfm e que tem a companhia de um câmbio manual de seis marchas (um WRX comum manual é esperado para breve). A dupla traz equipamentos como seletor de modos de condução, rodas de 18”, extrator de ar traseiro, saída de escape dupla em aço inox, e conjunto completo de defletores de ar. Já a STI adiciona o bloqueio do diferencial eletrônico e ajustável, o típico aerofólio traseiro em tamanho grande, e as rodas douradas com as quais ele fez fama nas competições de rali. Esta versão ainda acelera de 0 a 100 km/h em 5,2 segundos e alcança 255 km/h.