It's a time-tested and race-proven setup. A boxer engine is mounted down in the front for a low centre of gravity. The pistons fire at the tires,
but the wide engine shape benefits handling and safety. It's attached to Subaru's well-known all-wheel-drive system. Seventeen inch wheels roll at all corners, wrapped in Brigestone Potenza tires and suspended by a wonderfully communicative set of springs and struts. The ride is performance first and comfort second- though certainly not jarring or intrusive. The foundation, it seems, has been laid for a real handler of a machine.
The outcome?
Grip. The AWD system does an uncanny job of finding it in any situation. It's totally automatic and completely seamless. And with such a linear, predictable power curve afforded by its turbo engine, this rally-rocket never feels too frisky. It mangles corners with spine-lacerating ferocity, and even at its limit when a mild slide results, its still easily controlled and extremely playful. Few AWD systems are so impressive.
Of course, handling is only part of the package. The new 2.5 litre boxer engine is fitted with an intercooled turbocharger and nets 230 horsepower and 235 lb. ft. of torque. It's an enjoyable engine: sort of
Porschey-sounding with that roughness at lower revs characteristic of a horizontally opposed mill. Variable timing makes for a wider powerband, and in low load, low rev situations it propels the WRX along adequately, achieving around 9L / 100km. Squeeze the throttle and soon the boxer mill growls with the turbines high pitched whine overlapping and outpacing the exhaust note. It's an amusing noise, and the vigorous acceleration is equally as likely to make you smile.
A 5-speed manual transmission was fitted to my tester, and for some reason, an automatic is also available. Big red multi-piston calipers at each corner clamp down on the rotors for steady stopping power, though the pedal could be a bit more precise.
As one of the top 3 all-weather performance cars money can buy, the WRX scores top marks. But by the end of my time with it, I was still having some trouble summing it up.
It all came to me while watching an action movie.
It was X-Men 3 at a friends place. In a nutshell, it's a comic-book based flick about various mutant / human characters that have unique special
powers. I watched, half interested. Then, something caught my eye.
Wolverine was the character's name, likely due to the fact that he has retractable metal blades in his hands which he uses to tear stuff to shreds when the situation warrants it.
When he isn't busy slicing and dicing, he's got a hoarse voice, ripped clothes and a five-o'clock shadow. But he's a decent guy who commands respect and is instantly recognized everywhere he goes.
Now, I don't want to sound like Ebert here. I don't like movies, and I hear he doesn't like cars. But Wolverine and the WRX are a lot alike. They're both hoarse and raucous and could use a shave and some fresh clothes. They've both got big sharp claws and they both do the docile thing reasonably well too.
Neither is exceptionally good at everything, but they both do the cool action hero thing so well that it barely matters.
 |
| 2006 Subaru WRX (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com) |
The outcome?
Grip. The AWD system does an uncanny job of finding it in any situation. It's totally automatic and completely seamless. And with such a linear, predictable power curve afforded by its turbo engine, this rally-rocket never feels too frisky. It mangles corners with spine-lacerating ferocity, and even at its limit when a mild slide results, its still easily controlled and extremely playful. Few AWD systems are so impressive.
Of course, handling is only part of the package. The new 2.5 litre boxer engine is fitted with an intercooled turbocharger and nets 230 horsepower and 235 lb. ft. of torque. It's an enjoyable engine: sort of
 |
| 2006 Subaru WRX (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com) |
A 5-speed manual transmission was fitted to my tester, and for some reason, an automatic is also available. Big red multi-piston calipers at each corner clamp down on the rotors for steady stopping power, though the pedal could be a bit more precise.
As one of the top 3 all-weather performance cars money can buy, the WRX scores top marks. But by the end of my time with it, I was still having some trouble summing it up.
It all came to me while watching an action movie.
It was X-Men 3 at a friends place. In a nutshell, it's a comic-book based flick about various mutant / human characters that have unique special
 |
| 2006 Subaru WRX (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com) |
Wolverine was the character's name, likely due to the fact that he has retractable metal blades in his hands which he uses to tear stuff to shreds when the situation warrants it.
When he isn't busy slicing and dicing, he's got a hoarse voice, ripped clothes and a five-o'clock shadow. But he's a decent guy who commands respect and is instantly recognized everywhere he goes.
Now, I don't want to sound like Ebert here. I don't like movies, and I hear he doesn't like cars. But Wolverine and the WRX are a lot alike. They're both hoarse and raucous and could use a shave and some fresh clothes. They've both got big sharp claws and they both do the docile thing reasonably well too.
Neither is exceptionally good at everything, but they both do the cool action hero thing so well that it barely matters.