2010 New York: Subaru widens (literally) its WRX range

[svgallery name="2011_Subaru_WRX_Sti"] By John LeBlanc NEW YORK – Before this week’s New York auto show, Subaru had already announced that the 2011 WRX would adopt its big brother WRX STI’s wide body styling. But the Japanese automaker surprised the assembled media here with a first time ever four-door sedan version of its former hatchback-only top-line STI sports compact. While both the new sedan and existing five-door WRX STI (or Subaru Tecnica International, the high-performance and motorsports development division of Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.) carry on with the 305 hp and 290 lb.-ft. of torque version of Subaru’s ubiquitous turbocharged 2.5-litre flat four cylinder engine, six-speed manual gearbox and all-wheel-drive, for 2011 they also receive revised bodywork and suspension upgrades. Subaru says, the STI sedan’s huge rear spoiler “maximizes” its aerodynamic configuration. On both iterations, you’ll also find new, lighter 18-inch wheels, polished stainless steel quad tailpipes enlarged to a 3-inch diameter, and a revised audio system with integrated voice-activated Bluetooth and iPod/USB integration. A fully revised suspension (lowered, with new bushings, springs, thicker stabilizer bars and 245/40R 18 tires) that’s been tested at Germany’s Nürburgring racetrack has Subaru claiming the 2011 models are the best-handling STIs ever. Both the new 2011 WRX and WRX STI models will go on sale in Canada later this summer.

Comments