Proven recipe
What makes a Subaru worthy of that label is the ability to tackle all kinds of road conditions. On that note, my personal experience in various rally series (both on ice and on dirt) tells me that the Impreza's powerplant is virtually indestructible.
The WRX265 is a treat. The 4-cylinder boxer produces 265 horsepower (hence the name) and delivers excellent accelerations. You'd be hard-pressed to find a high-performance engine that's a better fit for our Canadian roads. Meanwhile, the machine literally makes a mockery of bumps, ice and other obstacles standing in its way; it swallows everything without ever flinching.
There's a price to pay at the pump, of course, as the Impreza WRX265 burns 10.72 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (real-world testing). Mind you, this figure is still reasonable given all the power and traction at your disposal.
Subaru's symmetrical AWD system has a lot to do with the car's amazing capabilities. It has to be said, though, that overall driving dynamics are much more civilized than in previous years. That's because styling isn't the only thing the automaker decided to tone down. Engineers took some firmness and sharpness out of the suspension for the sake of a more comfortable ride. As a result, the car feels smoother though more prone to understeer. Overall, handling is less edgy and sporty.
Let's put it another way: the new WRX is more docile in every respect. A tad surprisingly, the driving experience turns out to be more enjoyable; you no longer feel like you're fighting against the car but rather working with it. It's still a blast to drive courtesy of a more balanced, less twitchy character.
The brakes are quite competent, as is the steering which offers a precise feel. On the flip side, while the gearbox does a remarkable job in general, I would have liked an additional gear. With only five to work with, I was under the impression that I couldn't get the most out of the car's great potential, which is a shame.
What makes a Subaru worthy of that label is the ability to tackle all kinds of road conditions. On that note, my personal experience in various rally series (both on ice and on dirt) tells me that the Impreza's powerplant is virtually indestructible.
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| The 4-cylinder boxer produces 265 horsepower and 244 lb/ft torque. |
The WRX265 is a treat. The 4-cylinder boxer produces 265 horsepower (hence the name) and delivers excellent accelerations. You'd be hard-pressed to find a high-performance engine that's a better fit for our Canadian roads. Meanwhile, the machine literally makes a mockery of bumps, ice and other obstacles standing in its way; it swallows everything without ever flinching.
There's a price to pay at the pump, of course, as the Impreza WRX265 burns 10.72 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (real-world testing). Mind you, this figure is still reasonable given all the power and traction at your disposal.
Subaru's symmetrical AWD system has a lot to do with the car's amazing capabilities. It has to be said, though, that overall driving dynamics are much more civilized than in previous years. That's because styling isn't the only thing the automaker decided to tone down. Engineers took some firmness and sharpness out of the suspension for the sake of a more comfortable ride. As a result, the car feels smoother though more prone to understeer. Overall, handling is less edgy and sporty.
Let's put it another way: the new WRX is more docile in every respect. A tad surprisingly, the driving experience turns out to be more enjoyable; you no longer feel like you're fighting against the car but rather working with it. It's still a blast to drive courtesy of a more balanced, less twitchy character.
The brakes are quite competent, as is the steering which offers a precise feel. On the flip side, while the gearbox does a remarkable job in general, I would have liked an additional gear. With only five to work with, I was under the impression that I couldn't get the most out of the car's great potential, which is a shame.
 |
| On the flip side, while the gearbox does a remarkable job in general, I would have liked an additional gear. |