In today’s Chinese car market, there are too many new energy vehicles that focus on performance. They compete on this “track”, leading to unprecedented levels of competition among new energy car companies. These vehicles not only need outstanding performance and competitive prices, but also need to be equipped with technology and intelligence. With a complete Chinese supply chain system and integration capabilities, many consumers who like high-performance vehicles quickly have their own big “toys”. This is unimaginable in the era of fuel vehicles, as you would have to spend more money to own a higher performance vehicle. Because it is not only about buying the product itself, but also about the honors and experiences gained by the performance vehicle in major events. Moreover, more technology can be transferred to mass-produced vehicles, ensuring that the brand’s vehicles not only have high performance, but also have balanced safety and driving experience, which high-performance new energy vehicles currently lack.
Indeed, in the era of fuel cars, the making of cars is not just a stack of technology, but a manifestation of the spirit of craftsmen. As a representative brand that combines performance and craftsmanship in the era of fuel cars, Subaru must be mentioned. This brand is well known to the world, almost all Subaru models have gone through the baptism of races, from WRC, Nurburgring to the Super Endurance Rally, the sports genes are deeply imprinted in every model of the brand, forming a unique global brand power. Therefore, in the competition in the field of performance cars, Subaru still maintains a clear advantage globally, especially its flagship model, the Subaru WRX, which is still a sought-after performance car in the market.
The 12th generation Subaru WRX was officially launched in China in May, priced at an incredible 369,800 yuan (50870$). It is currently being imported as a parallel import, equipped with a 2.4T horizontally opposed engine and a 6MT gearbox. Limited to only 200 units, it has already been almost fully booked without even seeing the actual car. Delivery is expected in the third quarter of this year.
Subaru China stated that the WRX is a versatile, all-weather performance car with unique value. The new generation Subaru WRX is built on the SGP modular platform, featuring a horizontal opposed engine, all-wheel drive, and 6-speed manual transmission, along with intelligent and safety assist systems.
The Subaru WRX tested by Sina Auto is the only 12th generation Subaru WRX that can legally hit the road with license plates. This generation of WRX comes in three colors: Rally Blue, Sunset Orange, and Light Dusk Mineral Gray. The exterior dimensions of the model are 4670mm in length, 1825mm in width, 1465mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2675mm and a minimum ground clearance of 135mm.
In terms of exterior design, the all-new Subaru WRX continues the basic outline of the previous generation, with slight differences in detail, using a larger polygonal front grille design, including an embedded honeycomb-style mesh grille.
The hood bulges, continuing the traditional top-mounted intercooler intake design, giving the front end a very aggressive look.
The all-new Subaru WRX features unique-shaped front headlights with LED technology, automatic leveling system, adaptive steering headlights, and hidden headlight cleaning device. These details are currently only available on Japanese vehicles.
The new Subaru WRX features black matte front, side, and rear bumpers. These aerodynamic kits are designed to enhance the car’s performance and stability with racing experience.
The car’s side profile is very sleek, with only a reinforcement line extending from the rear wheel arch, enhancing the visual effect of the rear end and lowering the visual center of gravity of the car’s side. Of course, all Subaru models have a relatively low center of gravity, so the WRX also has a very aggressive “attack” posture.
In terms of wheels, gunmetal sporty rims with 18-inch tires are used, blending with the black wheel arches above to enhance the cool effect.
The rear of this generation WRX differs from the previous model, with a wide visual impression and a large black surround covering the lower rear. The rear fog light, located in the middle and lower part, is a continuation of its lineage.
The all-new Subaru WRX comes with dual exhaust pipes, blending seamlessly with the rear end design. The stock exhaust sound is mild, but this car is anything but ordinary on the road.
The all-new Subaru WRX features a subtle rear spoiler, unlike some Chinese performance cars, which are more aggressive on the road with exaggerated wings.
The new Subaru WRX has unique tail lights with crystal-like design inside. However, the turn signal lights should not be halogen. LED lights would be better.
Subaru WRX interior layout is similar to Forester and Impreza, with some differences in details and materials. For example, carbon fiber is used on the center console, door panels, and steering wheel to enhance the sporty style. WRX logo is added on the leather steering wheel and seat headrests.
The car is equipped with an 11.6-inch display screen that can be connected to Apple Carplay and smartphones. It also has split-screen display and physical buttons for adjusting volume and air conditioning temperature.
In terms of audio, the Subaru WRX comes with a Harman Kardon sound system with 11 speakers. The speaker includes a HK 504-watt equivalent amplifier, specifically tuned for the WRX.
In terms of configuration, the Subaru WRX features intelligent key system, 12V power output port, dual-zone automatic air conditioning system, Bluetooth® system, and USB interface.
From the perspective of passenger space, the Subaru WRX rear legroom is very spacious. The vehicle is equipped with Alcantara sports seats, which provide strong friction and support for the back and legs. The driver’s seat has a 10-way power adjustment function.
In terms of trunk space, the all-new Subaru WRX meets the needs of a family car, with 414L of space. The rear seats can be folded down 60/40 to expand storage space, but the trunk lid does not have automatic opening and closing.
The engine is horizontally opposed with a displacement of 2.4T, producing a maximum power of 202kW at 5600rpm and a maximum torque of 350N·m at 2000 – 5200rpm.
The matching gearbox is a 6-speed manual gearbox, which is rare in the market, only one model with manual transmission. The handbrake is also a classic mechanical handbrake, perfect for drifting and other maneuvers.
Currently, the all-new Subaru WRX introduced in China only comes in one configuration with 6MT. This WRX is not available for sale in all countries and regions. The number of countries and regions where it can be sold is decreasing year by year. The reason is that the demand in the Chinese market and the loyalty of car enthusiasts are high. There is a demand for manual transmission models, which are not sold in Japan and especially not in Europe.
The test drive was limited to city roads. The Subaru WRX’s clutch is light and gear shifting is smooth. Experience extreme driving on July 13th in Tianjin.
When starting in low gear, the clutch pedal should be pressed with moderate force, the engagement point of the clutch is very broad, this is a calibration for ordinary drivers, considering that the car won’t stall easily when starting, if the clutch is slightly held back, not fully pressed, while stepping on the gas pedal, the engine speed and vehicle speed will maintain a very stable output feeling, similar to the feeling of an automatic transmission vehicle idling forward after shifting gears.
Once the clutch is quickly released and the throttle is applied, power is rapidly transferred to all four wheels. Under the control of the powerful active torque vectoring all-wheel drive system, the wheels show no signs of slipping. However, the front of the car will lift noticeably and the car will shoot out violently, with a very aggressive power output. Unlike the slow start just now, where speed could be controlled with the clutch, in a straight closed road, 1st gear can raise the speed to the level of 3rd gear.
The fun of driving a manual transmission lies in revving the engine, having full control, without worrying about overheating automatic transmission. There’s a sense of connection with the car when holding onto something while driving. This is only for those who enjoy driving manual. However, driving this car in rush hour traffic can be tiring, with constant clutching and shifting gears.
This model is still designed for those who love racing and driving on open highways. In fact, on city roads, the all-new Subaru WRX only needs the first four gears to meet daily driving needs. With a solid chassis and all-wheel drive, it handles high-speed wet roads with ease.
It is hard to imagine that the all-new Subaru WRX, a manual transmission performance car, is equipped with EyeSight assistive technology. The system can achieve Level 2 driving assistance capabilities, including lane departure warning, lane centering, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency steering, and pre-collision braking systems working together to assist steering and automatically avoid obstacles.
The test drive focused on accelerating in gears 3-4. When the speed picked up, the vehicle didn’t feel heavy or glued to the ground. Instantly reaching 100km/h, the overall feel of the vehicle was agile. However, the feedback from the wheels, chassis, and suspension to the steering wheel and cabin was solid, with a clear trajectory. The steering precision and throttle sensitivity were crucial indicators of a performance car.
In terms of chassis and suspension, the performance car’s limit on the track, the new Subaru WRX chassis torsional stiffness increased by 28%, suspension mounting point stiffness increased by 75%, the rear anti-roll bar is directly connected to the body, not the subframe, when going over speed bumps, you can feel the chassis is very solid, and the suspension shock rebound is not “stiff”, it is firm yet flexible, and will not bring discomfort to the passengers.
