Road Test of New WRX
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Road Test of New WRX
Article from Australia... def like the 13.92 quater mile over a 14.6 (about what i got in my stock one).. and 30 Nm more at 2000 RPM (about 20 ftlb)
Roadtest: Subaru Impreza
29nov02
Changes to the Impreza are not just skin deep, as STUART MARTIN reports.
Begone the bug-eye Impreza, behold the more attractive WRC-friendly Impreza
range for 2003. Subaru insists this is more than just a head/tail-light and
bonnet scoop (it's 20mm wider) facelift to perk up the looks.
The company is targeting sales of about 600 per month for the 2003 Impreza,
with about 150 of those being WRX models.
Subaru Australia general manager Nick Senior says contrary to some reports,
the just-superseded Impreza has sold very well in Australia since its launch
in 2000.
"Up until the end of October we had sold 5960 Imprezas year to date, that
keeps us on track for a record year of naturally-aspirated Impreza sales,
we've introduced the RS and the RV in there as well."
The latest models feature new trim materials, active head restraints,
DataDot security application across the range, with the WRX getting the most
updating on the specs sheet, including the Sportshift tiptronic-style
four-speed automatic.
Suspension tweaks include changing to dampers with multi-phase valves,
altered front upper mounts and relocated rear trailing arms.
When the STi gets here early next year it will be wearing an upgraded front
cross-member and will boast extra strength in the transverse linkage mounts,
a reinforced rear cross-member using altered rear bushes.
Senior says the need to make the WRC more competitive was a major factor in
the change made to the Impreza range.
"The need to make our rally car more competitive was a key component," he
says. "Our motorsport partners Prodrive where involved from an early stage
of development.
"I think it is much more than a mid-term facelift, I think it is an all-new
model, given the substantial changes we have made, the specification
improvements, the consumer programs and security improvements."
Other Subaru folk suggest the facelift has been put into place up to nine
months earlier than it might have otherwise been.
The remainder of the range has unchanged power, torque and kerb-weight
figures, but the WRX now uses a variable intake valve timing system, called
Active Valve Control System, upping the turbo 2-litre flat-four's outputs to
168kW (up 8kW or 5 per cent) and 300Nm (increased by 8Nm or 3 per cent).
The company claims driveability improvements from the new engine, with an
extra 30Nm available at just over 2000rpm.
Group N rally driver Cody Crocker conducted comparative testing, which
showed the new model reaching 100km/h in 5.69 seconds, ahead of the 6.43
seconds registered by the 2002 car. A similar gap remained at the 400m mark
with 13.92 seconds versus 14.62 seconds.
The 2003 WRX has added just five kilograms, the WRX automatic is up 35kg,
while the rest of the range remains unchanged.
An addition is the DataDot system, which will be employed on all new
Imprezas before making its way into the rest of the Subaru range in the new
year.
Senior says one insurance company has already offered a premium discount
because of the inclusion of the DataDot system.
The rest of the range gets the altered look but little mechanical change.
The GX (starting at $25,990) kicks off many of the range-wide changes,
getting revised interior and dashboard trim, active head restraints, new
head and foglights, upgraded seat height adjuster and better side mirrors,
which the company says are more efficient when it comes to keeping water off
the glass.
The $29,990 RV hatch model gets trim and dash revisions as well as
semi-automatic airconditioning, while the $30,950 RX's upgrade list adds the
new-design Momo leather steering wheel.
The bigger-engined RS, which has been selling for $32,990 and moving about
120 per month, also gets the new Momo, silver instrument surrounds and the
new mesh grille.
http://newsmotoring.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story_page/0,8269,5577233%255E17002,00.html
29nov02
Changes to the Impreza are not just skin deep, as STUART MARTIN reports.
Begone the bug-eye Impreza, behold the more attractive WRC-friendly Impreza
range for 2003. Subaru insists this is more than just a head/tail-light and
bonnet scoop (it's 20mm wider) facelift to perk up the looks.
The company is targeting sales of about 600 per month for the 2003 Impreza,
with about 150 of those being WRX models.
Subaru Australia general manager Nick Senior says contrary to some reports,
the just-superseded Impreza has sold very well in Australia since its launch
in 2000.
"Up until the end of October we had sold 5960 Imprezas year to date, that
keeps us on track for a record year of naturally-aspirated Impreza sales,
we've introduced the RS and the RV in there as well."
The latest models feature new trim materials, active head restraints,
DataDot security application across the range, with the WRX getting the most
updating on the specs sheet, including the Sportshift tiptronic-style
four-speed automatic.
Suspension tweaks include changing to dampers with multi-phase valves,
altered front upper mounts and relocated rear trailing arms.
When the STi gets here early next year it will be wearing an upgraded front
cross-member and will boast extra strength in the transverse linkage mounts,
a reinforced rear cross-member using altered rear bushes.
Senior says the need to make the WRC more competitive was a major factor in
the change made to the Impreza range.
"The need to make our rally car more competitive was a key component," he
says. "Our motorsport partners Prodrive where involved from an early stage
of development.
"I think it is much more than a mid-term facelift, I think it is an all-new
model, given the substantial changes we have made, the specification
improvements, the consumer programs and security improvements."
Other Subaru folk suggest the facelift has been put into place up to nine
months earlier than it might have otherwise been.
The remainder of the range has unchanged power, torque and kerb-weight
figures, but the WRX now uses a variable intake valve timing system, called
Active Valve Control System, upping the turbo 2-litre flat-four's outputs to
168kW (up 8kW or 5 per cent) and 300Nm (increased by 8Nm or 3 per cent).
The company claims driveability improvements from the new engine, with an
extra 30Nm available at just over 2000rpm.
Group N rally driver Cody Crocker conducted comparative testing, which
showed the new model reaching 100km/h in 5.69 seconds, ahead of the 6.43
seconds registered by the 2002 car. A similar gap remained at the 400m mark
with 13.92 seconds versus 14.62 seconds.
The 2003 WRX has added just five kilograms, the WRX automatic is up 35kg,
while the rest of the range remains unchanged.
An addition is the DataDot system, which will be employed on all new
Imprezas before making its way into the rest of the Subaru range in the new
year.
Senior says one insurance company has already offered a premium discount
because of the inclusion of the DataDot system.
The rest of the range gets the altered look but little mechanical change.
The GX (starting at $25,990) kicks off many of the range-wide changes,
getting revised interior and dashboard trim, active head restraints, new
head and foglights, upgraded seat height adjuster and better side mirrors,
which the company says are more efficient when it comes to keeping water off
the glass.
The $29,990 RV hatch model gets trim and dash revisions as well as
semi-automatic airconditioning, while the $30,950 RX's upgrade list adds the
new-design Momo leather steering wheel.
The bigger-engined RS, which has been selling for $32,990 and moving about
120 per month, also gets the new Momo, silver instrument surrounds and the
new mesh grille.
http://newsmotoring.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story_page/0,8269,5577233%255E17002,00.html
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