Subaru Impreza WRX is back, better than ever with aggressive new wide-body versions of the WRX and STI for 2011.
Now on-sale at Subaru dealers, the stunning new Subaru Impreza WRX retains its $39,990 price tag, while the ripping Subaru Impreza WRX STI model scores a $2,000 price drop and now starts from $59,990 for both sedan and hatch, auto or manual.
The big news for Subaru Impreza WRX STI enthusiasts is the return of the wing – the new wide-body STI sedan is again highlighted by the massive aerodynamic aid on the boot to go with the aggressive blistered guards which feature on both WRX and WRX STI models. And, for the first time, Subaru Impreza WRX STI is available with an automatic transmission – a five-speed paddle shift.
We reckon the new Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI look brilliant and the totally revised suspension set-up haS delivered even better on-road dynamics. Without doubt the Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI are back to their best.
Subaru Impreza WRX What You Get
The wide-body sedan and hatch Subaru Impreza WRX and STI now have the aggressive looks to standout from the non-turbocharged members of the Subaru Impeza family. However it’s more than appearance – the wide-body design is necessary because the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX and STI feature wider front and rear tracks and wider tyres (8-inch on WRX, 8.5-inch on STI).
The latest Subaru Impreza WRX also gains new lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels finished in gun metal grey, new bumpers, the STI’s four tailpipe exhaust system, upgraded rear suspension and Bluetooth wireless technology.
Subaru Impreza WRX STI scores all of the wide-body additions plus an A-line engine for automatic versions, the sedan’s massive boot spoiler, new bumpers and grille, a totally revised suspension with aluminium lower control arms and a 5mm lower ride height, a unique stainless steel exhaust tip, lighter standard ENKEI 18-inch alloy wheels (optional BBS wheels on Spec. R versions), new dashboard and door trim plus the Bluetooth technology.
As mid-life upgrades go, it’s a ‘major’ for the Subaru Impreza WRX and STI. What haven’t changed are Subaru’s high standards of engineering and production – the 2011 Impreza WRX and STI exude the hallmark Subaru build quality.
Subaru Impreza WRX Under The Hood
The big news for 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX and STI powerplants is the introduction of the Japanese domestic market A-line version of the boxer engine for five-speed automatic versions. With 221kW at 6200rpm and 350Nm between 3000-600 rpm, the new engine drives through a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters providing a ‘blipping’ control for rapid downshifts from say fifth to third gears via double shifting the paddles.
The center differential on Subaru Impreza WRX and STI automatics has a 45:55 front rear torque distribution.
Subaru Impreza WRX retains the 2.5-litre 195kW/343Nm four-cylinder turbocharged engine and the STI keeps its 221kW/407Nm version.
Fuel consumption is rated at 10.4l/100kms for the Subaru Impreza WRX and 10.5l/100kms for the Subaru Impreza WRX STI. The STI emits slightly less C02 at 243g/km with 247g/km for the WRX.
Subaru Impreza WRX The Interior
Only minor changes inside with both Subaru Impreza WRX and STI gaining a darker color tone for the metallic trim finishes and more detailed gauges, including the latest ‘sweep’ function when the ignition is turned on.
As usual, the Subaru Impreza WRX and STI provide a sporty three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel which is just the right size and adjusts for rake and reach. Seats have manual adjustment (including height) and the result is a first-class, supportive driving position.
Simple remote control buttons for the audio and cruise control are mounted on the steering wheel. Instrumentation in the latest Impreza WRX and STI is typical high quality Subaru with excellent red lighting.
Subaru Impreza WRX STI models have a center console switch to change the centre differential settings. STI also gains a three-setting adjustment for Subaru’s Intelligent Drive System (SI-DRIVE).
Both Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI have a 10-speaker in-dash CD audio system now with Bluetooth and AUX jack. The optional satellite navigation screen is centrally mounted.
Rear seat accommodation offers surprising legroom, as the Subaru Impreza WRX and STI are basically mid-sizers.
Spec R models retain their excellent leather trim sports seats with a Recaro option.
Subaru Impreza WRX Exterior & Styling
Criticism from some Subaru Impreza WRX fans can now be trashed – the 2011 Impreza WRX and STI have gone from ‘mundane’ to ‘supercar’ in the looks department thanks to the wide body, blister guards and the sedans’ massive bootlid wing. In a nutshell, the Subaru Impreza WRX has returned to its awesome best.
Other detail changes include sharper bumper corners, new foglights and a bigger, dark finish front grille – the changes make the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX look wider and lower (and the STI model sits 5mm lower thanks to its new suspension set-up).
At the rear, the large bootlid wing naturally highlights sedan models, but there’s also a new rear diffuser which also houses the rear fog light. We really like the rear view of the latest WRX – very sporty and purposeful and a match for the aggressive overall look of the wide-body.
Subaru Impreza WRX On The Road
To launch the new Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI, Subaru chose the high-speed Phillip Island race circuit and the back roads off Victoria’s Bass Highway. The route provided the perfect conditions for the latest Impreza models with lots of challenging corners and some high-speed dirt road sections.
Tearing around Phillip Island highlighted the benefits of the revised suspension bushings in the WRX and the all-new suspension (including aluminium lower control arms) for the STI. We’d previously tested the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX around Calder Raceway and the improved performance of the 2011 models was immediately obvious.
The high-speed laps of the race circuit also highlighted just why high performance all-wheel-drive vehicles are so good. Turn-in is more precise and controlled with a stab on the throttle actually pulling the nose in sharper as the center differential adjusts power delivery.
On both the race circuit and highway, the staggering performance of the turbocharged boxer engine was – as usual – very impressive and accompanied by the hallmark growl from the exhausts.
Over the dirt road sections…well lets just say Subaru didn’t fluke its success in the World Rally Championship. The Subaru Impreza WRX and STI are ‘competent’ – with a capital ‘C’.
In more mundane surroundings, we did drive from Melbourne Airport down to Phillip Island and the traffic-clogged trip served to remind just how easy the Subaru Impreza WRX adjusts to everyday life. Controls were light, easy-to-use and refinement levels were high.
Subaru Impreza WRX Challenges
Like the 2010 model, we would only deduct points from the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX and STI for some of the interior plastics, which fall short in the tactile sense because they are a tad hard.
Subaru Impreza Verdict
Back to their brilliant best, the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX and STI are jaw-droppingly sensational to look at thanks to the wide body/blister guards which have returned the Subaru duo to the supercar league. Really the photos don’t do justice to the Subaru Impreza, you have to see it in the metal and to get all that performance and good looks for $2,000 less (STI) and with no price rise (WRX) is excellent news
Subaru Impreza WRX The Competition
With its all-wheel-drive and technological overload, the Subaru Impreza WRX and STI are in many ways unique. Honda’s Civic Type R ($39,990) is a hot hatch - but not in the same technology league as the WRX - while the Audi S3 S/B ($68,400) doesn’t have the Subaru’s street cred.
Thumbs-up:
Brilliant new looks; staggering to drive; handy interior; value
Thumbs-down:
We don’t have one in our garage permanently
