Motor Image Pilipinas (MIP), the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines, has launched the all-new, fifth-generation Subaru WRX and WRX Wagon – the first market in Asia to get the models.
“The all-new WRX is here to ignite your senses. From its stunning exterior and premium interior to the sporty sound and powerful performance of its new 2.4-liter turbo boxer engine, the invigorating smell of the exhaust, and the exciting handling, the WRX gives a raw driving experience that makes burning rubber fun. I am very confident that both the all-new WRX and WRX Wagon will totally ignite your senses, and remain crowd favorites that are much-loved by Subaru enthusiasts here,” said Glenn Tan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director, Tan Chong International Limited.
Glenn Tan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director, Tan Chong International Limited
Tan added that Motor Image is prioritizing the Philippine market for this nameplate, and shall be making available all the unit allotments of WRX and WRX Wagons from MI’s other markets to serve Filipino customers first.
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Exterior
Subaru’s modern design philosophy “Dynamic x Solid” has been enhanced to also express “Bolder”, guiding the complete redesign of the WRX in both notchback-sedan and station-wagon body styles.
Compared to its predecessor, the new WRX is 75 mm longer, 30 mm wider, and 10 mm lower than before, with an additional 25 mm in the wheelbase (2675 mm). The new WRX Wagon is 65 mm longer, 15 mm wider and 10 mm taller than the previous Levorg, with an additional 20 mm in the wheelbase (2670 mm).
Both models are built on the newest iteration of the Subaru Global Platform, with complete inner-frame construction and expanded application of structural adhesive to greatly improve the car’s rigidity, a bedrock of performance driving capability.
According to Subaru’s internal studies, the chassis’ torsional stiffness improved by 28 percent for the new WRX and 44 percent for the new WRX Wagon. The proportion of high-tensile steel sheets in the body has also been increased for improved collision safety. The bonnet is still aluminum, like the older WRX, while the front fenders are now also made from the light yet strong metal, weighing 2.3 kg.
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Style
The styling of the new WRX and WRX Wagon was previewed by a pair of stunning Subaru concept cars – the Viziv Performance Concept at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show and the Viziv Tourer Concept at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show.
The Viziv Performance Concept’s “forward-thrusting body with a low center of gravity”, “dynamic flare of the muscular fenders” and “bold glimpse of the exhaust in the rear bumper” can be seen in the street-legal WRX.
The WRX sports a striking hexagonal grille with its honeycomb pattern repeated neatly above the fog lamps and flanked by sleek LED headlamps with Subaru’s C-shaped light signature. The classic WRX trademark functional scoop that is cut into the hood is still present, to feed fresh air to the intercooler of the turbocharged boxer engine.
The side of the WRX is dominated by eye-catching fender extensions and blacked-out lower sections to accentuate the road-hugging stance. Following the sports theme perfectly are the 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 245/40 R18 high-performance tires.
Over at the rear, the WRX still has two pairs of exhaust tailpipes with a fog lamp in the middle. It has a boot-lid spoiler and LED combination lamps with their magma-inspired lighting effects that complete the look of the WRX’s “Tokyo turbojet” rear.
Even though the WRX and WRX Wagon are cut from the same Japanese cloth, the two cars clearly differ in their design direction.
Design differences between the WRX and WRX Wagon include the sedan’s dramatic black claddings, more elaborate main grille, and four muffler tailpipes instead of two. The WRX Wagon also rides on less aggressive 225/45 R18 tires.
Subaru’s turbocharged FA24 boxer engine
The Powertrain
Powering the all-new WRX is Subaru’s turbocharged FA24 boxer engine, uniquely tuned for the hot new WRX. The 2.4-liter horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder, 16-valve direct-injection unit has been engineered to provide exceptional driving enjoyment, on-road and track alike.
The main mechanical changes are the increased displacement (from 1998 cc to 2387 cc) and a superior turbocharger (still a twin-scroll turbine, but now with computer-controlled valves for the wastegate and air bypass to enhance the turbo’s efficiency).
The new boxer motor produces 275PS at 5600rpm and 350Nm at 2000-5200 rpm. It provides ample torque from low crankshaft speeds and vigorous acceleration across the rev range, with the power output tapering moderately as the tachometer needle approaches the 6100rpm redline.
Two transmissions are available for the WRX. The sedan variant gets a choice of a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed Lineartronic CVT, while the wagon will only be available with a CVT.
The Running Gear
With the Subaru Global Platform as the foundation for sportiness, the new-gen WRX promises to be a supremely capable yet surprisingly comfortable sports car. A thrilling drive doesn’t have to be tiring in this case.
The sport-tuned suspension features geometry optimized for great control and good comfort over all kinds of roads, front-strut rebound springs to mitigate body roll while changing direction, rigid subframes which can resist lateral forces from the tires without resorting to hard bushes, and a rear stabilizer mounted directly to the body for greater stability.
The electric power steering has been changed to a dual-pinion design (which separates the driver’s input shaft from the motor assist shaft) for a more natural steering feel.
The WRX’s multi-mode VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) has been reprogrammed to include a Track mode, which delays the intervention by the active safety system to correct a skid and also disables traction control, thereby allowing a confident driver to progressively push the limits on a circuit. Skillful drivers chasing their Russ Swift fantasy or tackling a gymkhana can switch off the VDC.
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The Sporty Cockpit
This is the classiest and comfiest WRX cabin ever, without forgoing the essential elements of a sporty cockpit meant to meet the need for speed behind the wheel. The new WRX retains its compact, D-shape steering wheel, but now has a flat area for better grip. Its leather wrap now also features racy red stitching, and there is a carbon-effect “WRX” ornament decorating the central spoke.
Red-stitched leather on the steering wheel can also be found on the center console, door panels, and passenger-side dashboard, with luxurious leather seats in the CVT WRX and classic fabric seats in the manual WRX. Metallic-colored accents around the instrument panel provide additional decoration.
The instrument cluster adopts a classic two-gauge layout, with the tachometer on the left and the speedometer on the right. Between the meters is a 4.2-inch high-res LCD combination display for crucial driving-related information, accessed through the [ i ] cluster of buttons below the left spoke of the steering wheel. A digital boost gauge that records the peak psi value can be called up for some entertainment.
Drivers will also love the leather-wrapped transmission shift knob and rubber-studded aluminum pedals, particularly those who swear by the 6-speed manual gearbox. The driver’s seat is ultra-supportive and includes a 10-way power adjustment in the auto variants.
Similar to the Subaru Outback, the new WRX is fitted with an 11.6-inch touchscreen display that manages infotainment, climate control, vehicle settings, and other important functions. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, voice recognition, and front dual USB ports connectivity are standard.
The Sensible Space
The interior packaging differs between the two new WRX body styles, with the wagon variant rightly prioritizing cargo load space.
The driver and passengers in the WRX will enjoy more space for their legs and shoulders than in the previous model, along with similar front headroom and slightly less rear headroom (due to the swoopy, lowered roofline). Backseat occupants will also enjoy greater comfort, thanks to the newly specified air-con vents and dual USB ports, which were not available in the old WRX. The rear seat squab has also been lengthened, making it more comfortable for leggy people, and the rear door armrests have had their padding expanded and thickened. The trunk of the WRX has a useful volume of 414 liters (VDA measurement) and a shape that can accommodate outsize items such as a pair of golf bags, two pieces of large luggage, a stroller, or a folding bicycle. The 60:40 split-fold backseat provides added versatility.
Naturally, the WRX Wagon is the more versatile vehicle. Its cargo capacity of 492 liters, expandable to a maximum of 1430 liters by folding down the entire 40:20:40 split-fold backseat, is comparable to the spacious Forester SUV boot (505 liters).
Other cargo-friendly features include a widened rear gate opening, a retractable tonneau cover, four utility hooks, three bag hooks, a side pocket, and quick-release switches for the flexible split-fold facility. Subaru’s PIN Code Access is also a standard feature for the new WRX Wagon.
Safety
The WRX CVT variants are equipped with EyeSight version 4, Subaru’s unique Driver Assist Technology that relies on innovative stereo cameras. Significant improvements to the hardware and software make this state-of-the-art safety system even more helpful as an attentive “co-driver”.
Subaru EyeSight version 4, complete with EyeSight Assist Monitor, makes driving easier and safer with its extended suite of functions:
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering Function
- Pre-Collision Braking with Autonomous Emergency Steering
- Pre-Collision Throttle Management
- Lane Departure Warning with Lane Departure Prevention
- Lane Sway Warning
- Lead Vehicle Start Alert
Another major safety upgrade for the new WRX series is Subaru’s Driver Monitoring System (DMS), which uses an infrared camera to detect whether the driver is distracted or tired/sleepy/drowsy while the car is being driven, and promptly alerts him or her.
DMS also utilizes facial recognition to register up to five different driver profiles and recall their personal settings when they get behind the wheel again, such as their saved seat position, last-viewed content in the multi-info display, and most recent air-con setting.
Other WRX advanced safety features include an array of airbags, a Ring-shaped Reinforcement Frame, Steering Responsive Headlights, and a rear view camera, with the WRX auto variants adding High Beam Assist, Reverse Automatic Braking, and Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection.
WRX tS
Available on indent are the top-spec WRX tS and WRX tS Wagon, which fully realize their high-performance potential with Drive Mode Select.
Electronically controlled dampers with accelerometer sensors and a dedicated ECU (electronic control unit) are the basis for the system, which is connected to the WRX’s modules for SI-Drive, steering, Variable Torque Distribution, and EyeSight Adaptive Cruise Control (adjusting the ACC acceleration characteristic – Eco (gently but slowly), Comfort (smoothly), Standard (normally) or Dynamic (aggressively). The selected Drive Mode, therefore, also activates the relevant settings for these other systems.
The dedicated [MODE] button on the steering wheel puts Drive Mode Select at the driver’s fingertips and toggles between Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Individual modes. The last mode lets the driver customize his or her own settings and save them for activation anytime.
The different Drive Modes change the driving character of the WRX tS and WRX Wagon tS most noticeably by adjusting the damping force, which can vary between comfortable, normal, sporty, and super sporty.
The most extreme Drive Mode Sport+ triggers the firmest ride, the sharpest throttle response (S#), and the most resolute cornering attitude. In other words, this is the best WRX tS configuration for “drive it like you stole it” scenarios.
Other equipment specific to the tS variants in the Philippines includes a Harman/Kardon 10-speaker hi-fi system with subwoofer and 8-channel amplifier for the WRX tS, and a power rear gate with Outback-style hands-free operation (put a hand or elbow near the rear Subaru emblem to open the tailgate) for the WRX tS Wagon. Both WRX tS models also sport an “STI” logo on the steering wheel, illuminated red meter rings, and “tS” badging on the boot lid.
Compared to the WRX GT-S Wagon, the WRX tS Wagon adds chrome trim on the front bumper lip, features a different 18-inch wheel design, and sports large muffler cutters for the twin exhaust tailpipes.
Availability and Pricing
The all-new Subaru WRX and WRX Wagon are now available for order in the Philippines at the following prices:
- WRX sedan M/T – Php 2,508,000
- WRX sedan CVT – Php 2,658,000
- WRX tS sedan CVT – Php 2,808,000 (indent order)
- WRX CVT wagon – Php 2,558,000
- WRX tS wagon CVT – Php 2,708,000 (indent order)
For more details visit www.subaru.asia/ph/en/vehicles/wrx/ or call +632-8880-9898.