On November 20th, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Subaru finally spilled the beans on its new 2015 WRX. Key words of the presentation were “power” and “handling.”
Under the sharply creased hood lies a new-to-the-WRX 268-hp 2.0-liter boxer engine with Subaru’s own direct-injection system (a similar engine made its debut in the 2014 Forester XT.) Peak power hits at 5,600 rpm, with enough torque to make even hardened tuners giggle: 258 lb.-ft across a broad 2,000 to 5,200 spectrum. MPG figures have yet to be announced, but they should improve on the outgoing model’s 21mpg combined EPA score.
Buyers will have a choice of either a six-speed manual transmission (!!) with carbon synchronizers on first and second gears for added durability, or a revised CVT that can also emulate either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed ‘box. The CVT also includes paddle-shifters, naturally. Here’s one particularly interesting side-note: only the CVT models get SI-DRIVE.
Subaru says this new model is a major step for the line, and to back that up they’ve equipped it with a Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) all-wheel drive system. This uses a planetary gear-type center differential and an electronically controlled hydraulic transfer clutch to control front-and-back power distribution. Under most conditions the system is rear-bias (55%) to lend a RWD sportscar feel. Power transfers based on driving conditions and input from the steering wheel angle, yaw and lateral g-forces, much like the system currently used on the STI… although, here’s the kicker, this fancy AWD system will only be standard with the CVT transmission.
Should you select the 6-speed manual, you get the good ‘ol viscous differential with a straight-up 50:50 split. Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) is included, however, to assist with slippery conditions and to transfer more power to the wheels with the best traction. Still, doesn’t sound nearly as fancy as the VTD setup.
There has been much discussion online already about the styling. And, frankly, it’s all been heard before. Anything with four doors and four wheels is derided for being too much like a Toyota Corolla. Move on, people. Though not revolutionary, the WRX’s design is a decent step forward in Subarus design language. It has some nice elements, like the running light surrounds over the halogen projectors (sorry, no HIDs). Yes, the WRX Concept set the bar for style ridiculously high. If you squint just right you can even kind of see them in the production car… kinda.
The interior is a solid step forward with tasteful applications of faux carbon fiber and decent quality plastics. It’s also roomier thanks to the 2015 WRX’s one-inch longer wheelbase. The gauge cluster is updated to look more like current models, plus the steering wheel has a flat-bottom, this along with drilled pedals give the interior a decidedly tuner feel right out of the box.
In the past Subaru said that moving forward the WRX would be unique from the Impreza. Keeping up their end of the bargain the hood, front fenders, rear doors and quarters, bumpers, headlights and taillight clusters are all unique to the WRX. The underpinning chassis? Naturally, it’s related to the excellent unibody found under the standard Impreza. This new body does use more high-tensile strength steel than the outgoing model, and key areas have been stiffened to help with handling.
Speaking of handling, stock tires are now 235/45 R17 94W Dunlop Sport Maxx RTs. Plus the steering has been revised and suspension tuned to make this the best handling WRX, ever.
Enjoy this exclusive mega-gallery from Yujiro Otsuki, who was on the scene.
Subaru official photos:
A fine looking design. I think Subaru will have no trouble selling all they can make. It would have been nice if the wheels shown in the pass-through trunk had been installed. (Perhaps the idea is that every new WRX is sold with a trunk full of tuner wheels & tires!?) Too bad about the lack of HID’s but I have no doubt that the tuner market will offer a retrofit kit in a heartbeat. As it is it is amazing how many features that have been inspired by the tuner market of recent years gone by are currently included in the design. Subaru clearly looks and listens to its customers. I wonder what all this all-wheel drive goodness will cost? As to styling, I cannot for the life of me fathom why some people think this thing looks like a Toyota. The Toyotas of today seem to feature that ugly Probosis Monkey droop nose, which sets them apart; far apart. That the new WRX doesn’t look like the show car is no surprise. As a rule show cars are extreme and usually companies only use elements of those designs, plus Subaru; like many car companies, is careful not to upset a successful design precedent, so evolution is always more likely than revolution. I like both the new Impreza and WRX designs, and it will be interesting to see what tuner companies develop for this new model(s.)
My initial impression is 50/50 this design reminds me of the 06 IS250 the curves and accents are pretty, lights are SPOT on , front on-look of the car is perfect , interior is beautiful, LOVE the 2.0 (currently running a JDM Spec C ) however, not satisfied with the proportion of the car to its wheel base. The beefed up back doesn’t sit to well with me, the rear bumper cover is obesely almost looks like it account for more than half of the height from a rear on-look. I think maybe it was time for the wheels to become legal (18’s) and the height from bottom of the skirt to the roof just seems a bit to tall, I am somewhat disappointed the concept wasn’t taken more into consideration, but I guess Subaru is saving that for a later date, definitely would like an explanation as to why? Overall rating would be 6/10 for me.
this is a boring design !
subaru should wake up and hire people who can design cars.
I’ll stick with my ’11 wrx hatch, no hatch means no buy for me. I do like the front end, more ground clearance. I’ve replaced my bumper twice, because of hitting hard snow and curbs.
I’ve been an 03 wrx owner for 7 years, its my baby. The 03 WRX is by far the best design Subaru has ever created. Subaru should go back to this design style, rather than designing their cars to look like a toyota corolla.
nobody’s driven this thing yet, so you losers can suck it until a version for driving becomes available. I bet your version of driving is also lackluster. Post your experience, shill.
I have virtually driven the 2015 WRX and have this to say: “The handling is sporty, yet refined. The engine, responsive. Braking is commensurate with application, and sure. This vehicle raises the bar for modern Japanese design.”
I’m just happy to see that subaru is moving foward on this platform. It is a bit watered down as far as the design. I still think its a bit behind the evo’s of today but I’m still waiting on the sti version. Hopefully it’s a bit more stout. As far as all the performance I like it a lot.
It doesn’t look like the car has the nice looking wide fenders of the recent 2011 model (and STi before that). I hate to say it, but at a glance, it reminds me of the ugly narrow body regular WRX from ’08-10. In other words, it looks more “Toyota” (as a generality) than “sports car” like the BRZ definitely screams (even though it’s too darn slow to actually consider and without AWD wouldn’t be useful almost half the year in Northern climates and so I would never consider one in Ohio). Frankly, I thought the prototype still looked too much like the last WRX and this looks EVEN MORE like it (the narrow ones). They need to take more chances. My current ’11 has HIDs and leather seats (although I wouldn’t say just because the stock model doesn’t have HIDs that every model won’t since only the Limited and STis have them currently).
The move to offering a CVT transmission with better differential control feels odd after ditching automatics altogether in the USA. That screamed “real drivers only” and now they’ve gone pedestrian again. And to be honest, I never liked the gearings of the 6-speed STi. 1st was WAY too short and the 5-speed could beat it 0-60 all day long because of that stupid decision. It could have used an extra overdrive gear for cruising at 75+ since fuel economy goes downhill fast over 60mph, though and that’s where I would have put the extra gear. And what about power? On paper, it looks like it has more power than the current model, but most of us know that the current models’ numbers are a complete fabrication to make the STi look like it has more power. All the dyno tests I’ve seen show them within 1% of each other stock, which means the current WRX is actually 305HP at the crank and so IF this new one is truly 268, it’s a power DROP and yet another reason to hold onto my 2011 Limited. Is there even going to be an STi version and will it still be stuck at 305 rated where it’s been for an entire decade? Honestly, if I move down South at some point, I’d be looking elsewhere. They should be pushing 400+ on the STi by now. You shouldn’t have to void your warranty (yeah in reality, it’s voided the first time something goes wrong) to get that kind of power either.
Explain your logic in arriving at 305 at the crank after claiming you’ve seen a bunch of dyno tests. I’m sure you have a conversion factor, I’m sure they were all on the same dyno, so your published findings will certainly give creedence to your claims. Why didn’t you just post, “I like my 2011 better.”?
This new wrx idea is in my opinion a fail… You get rid of the 2.5 and put a 2.0… Finally add a 6 speed transmission but get rid of the best part… That there was no automatic transmission option… Putting a cvt in it is like more calling it a Altima or corolla… Which it now looks even more like from the side… Then they get rid of another sports car aspect… The bucket seats… What is all that about… It really has fallen from what it use to be… Subaru I love the wrx and sti… But now this is the downfall… Hopefully all the other real Subaru enthusiast will see this and hopefully Subaru will also before they release this… It’s a rally sports sedan… Not a family grocery getter for normal public… That’s what the standard impreza,forester,legacy and TriBeCa options are for… Keep the wrx and sti on there own level
Where are the specs I was looking for?