"New car buying can be a tiresome and stressful
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been a pleasure, NONE of these adjectives applies to my experience with
buying a new Subaru. " 7/22/11
The 2011 WRX comes in sedan and four-door hatchback forms, and receives extensive exterior and interior changes that move it closer to the STI in style, though its drivetrain remains the same. The Subaru Impreza WRX is an engaging, appealing car, and almost unique in the marketplace. It is fast and fun to drive yet practical. Based on the Impreza compact, it is economical to operate, in relative terms, and makes an excellent choice for commuters who like a little zip in their daily drive. Subaru completely redesigned the WRX for 2008.The power was increased and the suspension was retuned for 2009, and more aggressive body cladding returned. The current WRX models are smoother and more comfortable than pre-2008 versions, and easy to live with during the typical commute. Their cabins are roomier than previous versions, with an overall improvement in appointments and finish quality. They're offered with high-grade audio and an optional navigation system. The 2011 model debuted at the New York Auto Show and proved that it will be distanced even further from basic Impreza models, adopting an aggressive wide-body look that bears more in common with the top-performance Impreza STI model.
Impreza WRX Power and Handling
Similar to the 2010 WRX will be powered by a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, still making 265 horsepower and 244 pound-feet of torque, and hooked up to a five-speed manual transmission. All WRX models employ a turbocharged version of Subaru's 2.5-liter four-cylinder. A five-speed manual is the only transmission, and the standard all-wheel drive uses a viscous coupling center differential rather than the more sophisticated system that works with an automatic transmission in the more modest Imprezas. The WRX is all about driving, and is not available with automatics and leather upholstery. Yet buyers seeking a smaller car with lots of safety features should like the WRX. All-wheel drive comes standard. All models come with Vehicle Dynamics Control and a sophisticated anti-lock brake system with electronic brake-force distribution. The WRX gets excellent ratings in crash tests. WRX has an aluminum hood, which reduces weight in front and helps distribute the car's mass more evenly over the front and rear wheels. It features the latest evolution of what Subaru calls its Ring Frame Reinforced body design. Think of RFR as a safety cell in roughly a cube shape around the passenger compartment, made of stronger, hydro-formed steel sections. The idea is more strength and rigidity without an undue increase in weight, and it may help explain the excellent ratings in NHTSA crash tests. The first objective of RFR is better occupant protection, but the structural improvements pay dividends in many respects, from more responsive handling to improved smoothness in just about every aspect of the car's operation.
Design of the 2011 WRX
A big change for this model year is the WRX's wider stance. The widening isn't limited to the body. The distance between the left and right wheels, known as the vehicle's track, is 1.5 inches wider. The WRX's suspension is firmer than the regular Impreza's, and for 2011 it has slight changes, including firmer rear bushings. With about an inch and a half of extra track front and back, plus wider 17-inch wheels and firmer rear subframe bushings, the 2011 WRX should have significantly improved grip and poise, as well as a more authoritative presence. The WRX gets a more assertive, aggressive look that closely resembles that of the top-performance STI model, with carved-outward fenders and flared wheelwells, sharpened bumper corners, and racier-looking air ducts, and in front blacked-out fog lamps plus a new lip spoiler and grille that again serve to emphasize the width. Alongside, the gentle fold of the sheetmetal just below the beltline in the 2010 model has been turned into a sharp crease in the 2011 WRX. The new WRX gains 33 pounds, according to Subaru, but the design changes together improve the model's drag coefficient. The WRX's standard wheel size goes from 17x7 inches to 17x8 inches, with the tire size going from 225/45R17 to 235/45R17.
Subaru Impreza WRX Cabin
The WRX cabin gets updated for 2011 as well. Carbon black checkered upholstery with red stitching is included, with 'performance design' front seats and aluminum-alloy pedal covers and dead pedal. A new sound system now accommodates Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free calling, plus a USB port, iPod compatibility, and an input jack. It's also ready for an XM or Sirius satellite radio subscription. The WRX is available as a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk, or as a five-door hatchback. The hatch adds nearly 70 percent more cargo capacity. At about $25,000, the WRX models come well equipped, with nice seats in carbon black checkered accented by red stitching, automatic climate control, a good stereo and more horsepower than all but a couple cars in this size/price class.
Conclusions
The new-for-2011 Subaru Impreza WRX gets a 1.5 inch-wider track in front and the rear, and benefits from firmer rear subframe bushings directly from the STI. It's also got a newer, nice looking mouth. Since the 2011 Subaru WRX hasn't structurally changed it will likely carry on its excellent safety reputation-including top results in all tests and IIHS Top Safety Pick status. Electronic stability control, front side and full-length side-curtain airbags, and anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist will remain standard-including of course all-wheel drive. The new 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX models-in four-door sedan or five-door hatchback form-are set to arrive at dealerships this summer. For the latest updates on this model, visit the official Subaru WRX site.