Review
Subaru WRX STI
It has now been more than a year since the fourth generation of the Subaru WRX STI was presented at the Geneva Motor Show. This Subaru flagship with progenitors who, among others, won the World Rally Championship (WRC) three times, was developed according to the principle of “Pure Power in Your Control”. The aim was to achieve maximum top speed under maximum control by the driver. We went out with this rough diamond with a rich pedigree and had a unique driving experience.
Motorization, design and equipment
The WRX STI is the power source about a 2.5 petrol boxer engine with 4 cylinders. This turbo engine produces 300 hp and has a torque of 407 Nm. The drive is All-Wheel Drive and the transmission of the WRX STI has a 6-speed manual gearbox. The sprint from 0-100 takes just 5.2 seconds and the top speed is 255 km/h. This sports car certainly meets the expectations of enthusiasts, although the engine sound inside could be a little more pronounced.
In terms of appearance, the air intake on the hood stands out at the front. At the rear it is difficult to see next to the monumental downforce generating rear spoiler. Even when you are behind the wheel, you have a permanent view of this colossal structure on the trunk in the rear-view mirror. You can choose from 6 shades for the color of the WRX STI. Our test car was given the color WR BLUE PEARL and this is also the color we would paint it in.
In terms of equipment, you can choose between 2 equipment levels. The entry-level “Sport” version of the WRX STI is available from €41,995. For this you get, among other things, 18-inch aluminum rims, all kinds of driving systems (Active Torque Vectoring, Multi-Mode DCCD, SI-Drive, etc.), cruise control, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, sports seats at the front with leather and Alcantara upholstery, etc. The “Sport Executive” version is available from €45,995 and offers the same options as in the Sport version, including: reversing camera, 8-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, electric glass roof,…
Technology: in your control
To support the driver during his sporting escapades, the WRX STI is equipped with a number of systems that make the driver’s life easier. For example, we have Active Torque Vectoring. This system ensures that the car steers more directly and precisely by sending the power to the wheels in a very targeted manner, so that the car can always follow the chosen driving line.
Via the Subaru Intelligent Drive system, a rotary knob with a number of driving modes, you as a driver can adjust the character of the car to your specific wishes at that moment. In Intelligent mode you choose fuel efficiency, in Sport mode for controlled sportiness and in Sport Sharp mode for maximum sportiness. In this last mode you get maximum response from the turbo engine to your input.
Under the dial of the SI-DRIVE, we find another feature that allows you as a driver to personalize the behavior of the WRX STI. This concerns the Multi-Mode DCCD or Driver Control Center Differential, with which you can adjust the operation of the center limited slip differential to customize the handling of the car. In Auto mode, you don’t have to do anything yourself and the torque is automatically optimized based on the driving conditions. In Auto[+] mode more power goes to the front wheels for better traction, in Auto[-] mode more power is sent to the rear wheels for tighter cornering. In the 6-step manual mode you can fully set the properties according to your preference.
Conclusion
Nowadays there are more brands that have an affordable sports car of around 300 hp in their range. With the fourth generation of the WRX STI, Subaru has once again succeeded in bringing a car to the market that can offer a unique driving experience with loads of driving pleasure. Thanks to all the settings to personalize the driving characteristics of the car, it is a car that is not immediately easy to recognize and tame.
Johan De Haes
Test driver
