The entire Impreza range has had a make over for 2006. The entry-level model starts at a reasonable €22,495 (1.6 Xi) but the twice as expensive ‘WRX’ will always be the one people want as it is perhaps the easiest car on the planet to drive like a god!
The trick to Subaru’s rally success has been the Japanese manufacturer’s ability to produce cars with very low centres of gravity coupled to all-wheel-drive chassis that have evolved to near perfection. Previously the Impreza WRX was powered by a manic 2-litre turbo-charged petrol engine (Subaru don’t do diesels – yet). The unit was designed for racing using engine cylinders that instead of being stack beside each other were placed on their side and positioned opposite each other. Subaru’s ‘boxer’ engines, like Porsches of old, place their mass very low to the road resulting in sublime handling.
The new 2.5-litre is welcome in the WRX as it is smooth with near linear power delivery so there are no nasty surprises when you go up the rev range. Fuel economy is nearly the same as the outgoing 2-litre as is the 0-100km/h time of less than six seconds. Where the 2.5 delivers more is throughout the entire rev range where there is now an almost lazy reserve of power. The gearbox has received some attention and now has a shorter throw and feels more precise.
The much criticised WRX front-end has been worked on and now features a new grill and headlights, plus the rear gets a subtle going over. Inside, Subaru continues to stuff a lot of standard goodies into what is an average sized family car. Leather seats (heated in the front) and electric sunroof top the list of creature comforts.
€43,500 gets a fire breathing turbo-charged all-wheel-drive rally car that has been softened up a little bit for everyday use. Subtle as a brick to look at the WRX has one clear intention to go anywhere fast. Sadly in a politically correct world more and more people are desperate to retain a little anonymity in their fast cars, so expect something totally different in the next generation WRX.
For the shrinking violets out there sitting just below the WRX in the range is the 2-litre RX. This tamer Impreza has 158bhp to play with and is no slouch with a 0-100km/h time of 8.8 seconds and of course AWD. The RX is relatively cheap starting at €27,695.
WRX is a very usable car despite its small range between fill ups. Rapid and sure-footed it’s even available as a practical 5-door sportswagon. If you crave more power/psychiatric attention you could always spend a few quid more - €61,995 to be precise for the full on, brilliant, highly focused and magic WRX STi - Magic as it’s so quick it will make your licence disappear!
Michael Sheridan
