A hero's return

The hallowed WRX is back and this time angrier than ever, watch out Golf R. Report by Arvind Kumar.

The bulbuous looking hatchbacks are gone and the aggressive front end harks back to the legendary WRX STI 22B; prepare for the comeback of an old-school hero. The aggressive new design centres on its sleek front fascia and gaping hood scoop which teases of the power that lies beneath. Along the sides, a pronounced fender line and contoured waistline brings the WRX STI firmly into the 21st century.

Two variants have been introduced, the WRX and the full-blown WRX STI. The WRX sports a 2.0-litre horizontally opposed turbocharged 4-cylinder engine capable of producing 264bhp @ 5,600rpm and a healthy 350Nm of torque from as low as 2400rpm. The WRX STI utilizes a 2,457cc BOXER powerplant, with high-boost mapping and a large capacity intercooler to churn 296bhp @ 6,000rpm and a whopping 407Nm of torque.

The new WRX‘s 2.0 FA (DIT) powerplant is mated to Lineartronic CVT channelling power through a

Symmetrical AWD system. MacPherson struts grace the front end while a double wishbone setup manages the rear. Four disc brakes replete with ABS and EBD manage anchoring duties.

The WRX STI ups the ante with a proper six-speed manual shifter connected to the Symmetrical AWD system. A complete Brembo Performance brake system utilises four-pot calipers up front and twin-pot calipers at the rear clamping onto ventilated discs all round. The suspension setup is complemented with Inverted MacPherson types up front and double wishbones at the back. The steering has also been improved with quicker 13.0: 1 ratio rack.

Safety kit includes seven airbags - front, side, curtain and the driver’s side knee, and the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) and Safety Pedal Brake Systems. While Subaru’s ring-shaped reinforcement frame serves to provide increased passenger cell protection in the event of a high-impact collision.

Both cars receive the company’s SI-Drive selector which lets the driver choose between three different modes which adjust the car’s throttle response and the transmission’s shift points. The WRX STI also allows control of the power distribution between the front and rear axles through its M-DCCD system. All this endows the WRX STI with century sprint time of just 5.2s.

The interior cossets the driver with sporty front seats lined with red stitching and a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel. The centre also houses a multi-function display which relays important engine parameters in real-time. Other toys include Bluetooth, cruise control and a premium six-speaker audio setup.

Prices start at RM229,800 for the WRX variant and RM269,800 for the WRX STI. The WRX and WRX STI are available in four colours including the legendary WR Blue Pearl hue. Judging by the hair-raising launch gambit which featured the amazing Russ Swift, Subaru are very excited to take your orders.