|
Petrol: | 2.0 L
EJ207 H4-
T | 2.0 L
FA20F H4-T | 2.5 L
EJ257 H4-T }} | 6-speed
TY75 manual | 6-speed
TY85 manual |
Lineartronic TR690 CVT }} |
Subaru Impreza (GJ/GP) |
Subaru Levorg (VM) |
Subaru XV/Crosstrek (GP) }} }} For the VA series WRX released in 2014 for the 2015 model year, Subaru decided to move away from marketing the WRX and WRX STI under the Impreza name. This time, the Impreza name was dropped in all markets in which the new model is named simply as the WRX, as had been the case in North America with the previous model, while in Japan it was sold as the WRX S4. The WRX and WRX STI are the performance model based on the GJ Impreza with higher output engines, firmer
suspension, larger brakes, slightly resculpted body panels, lowered ride height and larger
intakes. The body design also took a stronger departure from the Impreza donor model than in the past. The general WRX profile/silhouette was carried over from the Impreza, as were the front doors, trunk lid, and interior. However, the entire front end bodywork plus the rear quarter panels were unique to the WRX. The rear doors received a subtle reskin with an upwards kink and revised character line, but retained an otherwise identical shape. Subaru had promised to completely move the WRX and STI off the Impreza
chassis and body to create a standalone model. The VA-body WRX is based on a modified Impreza body and chassis, with the Impreza name dropped from the WRX in all markets. For this generation, Subaru decided to not produce a WRX or WRX STI hatchback as had been previously offered. The previous generation hatchback made up approximately 50 percent of US WRX and WRX STI sales.
Facelift Powertrain This model is the first of the WRX line to deviate from the
EJ-series engine. It uses the new 2.0-litre
FA20F engine, which has
direct injection and a
twin-scroll turbocharger. On all previous WRXs, the turbocharger was located near the right-hand side of the
firewall, close to the third
cylinder. With the new
FA20F engine, Subaru fitted the turbocharger at the front of the car, close to the
serpentine accessory belts. There is a robust aluminum skid plate that protects the underside of the turbocharger. Mounting the turbo lower in the engine bay helps reduce the car's
centre of gravity to . The
FA20's high
compression ratio of 10.6:1 combined with its 68° intake and 54° exhaust cam phasing range allow it to produce excellent off-boost efficiency as well as a wide torque peak. A 6-speed
TY75 manual transmission is standard on the WRX, up from 5-speeds. It is also available with a
Lineartronic TR690 CVT with 6 or 8 simulated "gears" accessible through paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The Japanese-spec WRX S4 is only available with the CVT. Behind the wheel, the most noticeable difference between the
EJ and
FA engines is the latter's broader
torque curve. The 2.5-litre
EJ produced a maximum of at 4,000 rpm, while the new 2.0-litre
FA peaks twice as soon ( at 2,000 rpm). There are also reports that along with the ECU changes, the
rev limit was raised to 7,100 rpm to support the power increase at the upper rev range to support a stronger top end. It also retains the
hydraulic power steering system as opposed to using the standard WRX's new electric-assisted rack. The steering rack was changed to a quicker 13:1 ratio, as used in the Japan delivered vehicles, as opposed to the 15:1 ratio of the previous models. A sound tube device, also seen on the
BRZ, has also been fitted to the air intake system to channel certain induction and turbo frequencies into the cabin, reports show this is only fitted to vehicles in some markets. In Europe, Australia, Canada and Japan, the STI is available with and without the wing. Starting in 2016, the US version of the limited STI was also made available with either the traditional high wing or, optionally, with the standard WRX low profile wing. The third digit of the model code on a VA-era WRX designates the type of powertrain used. The possible digits are: •
G: WRX with the
FA20F engine •
B: WRX STI with the
EJ207 engine •
F: WRX STI with the
EJ257 engine
Updates In January 2017 for the North America market, Subaru announced several improvements that addressed some of the criticism of the 2015 model debut, including a newly revised suspension, revised, upgraded interior materials and a quieter cabin, and a revised front styling. For the WRX, a newly available performance Package option included Recaro front seats with 8-way power driver's seat, improved brake pads, and a moonroof delete to reduce weight. Also new was upgraded EyeSight Driver Assist Technology safety features. For the 2018 model year, the WRX received some mid-generation improvements. The 2018 model first went on sale at dealerships in summer 2017. The 2018 WRX and WRX STI mid-model improvement continued with the 6-speed manual transmission came as standard equipment, and the optional
Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission with Intelligent, Sport 6-speed paddle shift emulation and Sport# (pronounced "Sport Sharp") 8-speed paddle shift emulation. The standard WRX added heated exterior mirrors (already a standard on higher level trims). A new, larger 5.9-inch high-definition multi-function display replaced the older 4.3-inch unit allowing the driver to see vehicle functions more easily. The WRX Premium trim added a larger multimedia audio unit. WRX Limited models added an 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjustment. In May 2018, the 2019 model year WRX and WRX STI was announced. The 2019 model first went on sale at dealerships in the summer of 2018. The 2019 model introduced a new Subaru
STARLINK infotainment system integrated standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an optional Harman Kardon entertainment system and an optional larger infotainment screen size from 6.2 inches to 7.0 inches. The 2019 WRX equipped with the optional
Lineartronic CVT also came standard with the Subaru EyeSight driver assist technology. On previous models, Eyesight was only available as an option package. Also optional on the CVT equipped WRX was Reverse Automatic Braking, a feature unlikely to be implemented in non-CVT equipped vehicles. Subaru's
collision avoidance system, known as EyeSight, is only available on CVT models, along with reverse automatic braking. EyeSight was made standard on all CVT-equipped models starting with model year 2020. European sales of the WRX STI were ended in 2018.
Special editions WRX STI Launch Edition In 2015, Subaru released the WRX STI Launch Edition, with 1000 units being offered in North America. All 1,000 of these Launch Edition models were painted in World Rally Blue Pearl along with gold-painted 18-inch BBS forged alloy wheels. On to the interior, black stitching and blue leather accents were seen on the door cards as well as on the floormats and Alcantara-covered seats. All of the Launch Edition cars received a short throw shifter and keyless access with pushbutton start.
WRX STI S207 In the same year, Subaru also released the WRX STI S207, limited to 400 units sold only for the Japanese market. The S207 used the 2 litre EJ20 engine which was tuned to and of torque. Upgrades also include a quicker-ratio 11-to-1 steering rack (compared to 13-to-1 for the stock unit). STI-spec Recaro front bucket seats, Bilstein adjustable DampMatic II front suspension, and drilled rotors clamped by
Brembo monoblock six-piston front calipers and four-pot rear calipers. Up to 200 of the units could be equipped with the NBR Challenge Package, which features a carbon-fibre wing and a badge commemorating Subaru's class victory at the 2015
Nürburgring 24 Hours.
WRX STI Hyper Blue In 2016, Subaru released the WRX STI Hyper Blue special edition series, with production limited to 700 units for the United States. The new color covers the outside, and it is also offset with gloss black 18-inch BBS wheels, badges and mirror caps. Blue stitching brings the color into the interior, and Subaru's seven-inch navigation system with a nine-speaker stereo is standard for this version. In Australia, Subaru announced the WRX Premium Hyper Blue special edition with the CVT automatic will be limited to 200 units targeted to customers, and WRX STI Premium with the six-speed gearbox will be limited to just 50 units. Canada was given 200 units named "Hikari" (Japanese for the word shine), with turnkey start, basic stereo non-GPS head unit and moon roof.
WRX STI S208 In 2017, Subaru released the WRX STI S208, limited to 450 units sold only for the Japanese market. The S208 used a 2.0-litre
EJ20 engine tuned to and of torque. It has other upgrades similar to those of the WRX STI S207- a quicker 11:1 ratio steering rack, Bilstein DampMatic II front suspension, Recaro front bucket seats, 19-inch BBS wheels, drilled rotors clamped by Brembo monoblock six-piston front calipers and four-pot rear calipers, intercooler water spray, a torque vectoring system, and more. Up to 350 units could be equipped with the NBR Challenge Package, which features a carbon fibre wing, front lip spoiler, and roof. The S208 was offered in 3 colors- WR Blue Pearl, Crystal White Pearl, and Cool Grey Khaki (only available with the NBR Challenge Package). Standard models cost ¥6,264,000 with tax and NBR Challenge Package-equipped models cost ¥6,890,400 ($63,229) with the carbon fibre lip spoiler or ¥7,106,400 with the carbon fibre rear wing.
WRX STI Diamond Edition As a way of celebrating 30 years of the STI nameplate (in 2018), Subaru offered a limited-edition WRX STI Diamond Edition which was developed by Subaru Southern Africa's technical team, making it exclusively available to the region with only 30 being produced. The WRX STI Diamond Edition is powered by a 2.5-litre, high-boost turbocharged Boxer engine that offers at 4,500 rpm and of torque at 4,000 rpm. The remapping of the electronic control unit and the fitment of a performance exhaust system has contributed to improved performance. A new engine brace has been fitted for better stability and balance. The WRX STI Diamond Edition rides 20 mm lower than the standard WRX STI and the body kit, in a High Viz yellow, further lowers the front end by 10 mm. The spoiler vane gets a stainless steel STI badge unique to this limited-edition model and high-gloss black Diamond Edition badges appear on the sides of the rear wing. The WRX STI Diamond Edition rides on 19-inch lightweight and darkened aluminum Y-design alloy wheels.
WRX 50th Anniversary Edition For Subaru's 50th anniversary in 2018, the WRX, along with each other model Subaru made, received a limited-edition version featuring a top-trimmed vehicle with exclusive heritage blue coloring, a satin chrome stylization, and 50th anniversary accents. These accents include badging on the side of the vehicle, silver themed interior featuring silver stitching and silver seatbelts, and Recaro seats with an embroidered celebratory 50th anniversary symbol, along with matching floor mats. Production was limited to 1,050 units for the Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, Legacy and Outback, along with the BRZ getting 250, while the WRX received 600 units, and the STI received 200, for a total of 6300 cars.
WRX STI Type RA For the 2018 model year, Subaru of America introduced the WRX STI Type RA to celebrate the successful record attempt at becoming the fastest saloon around the Nürburgring. This numbered limited edition was limited to 500 examples for the United States and 75 examples for Canada. The Type RA featured 19" gold-colored forged wheels, carbon roof and spoiler, among other changes. The car also featured a carbon fibre roof and rear wing. It was available in a choice of three colors: World Rally Blue Pearl, Black and White. Upgraded pistons were used, increasing horsepower by , and were also added on all model year 2019 STI models.
WRX STI RA-R For the model year 2018, but available only in Japan, Subaru debuted the RA-R, which stands for "Record Attempt-Racing," a nod to previous, track-based STI variants. Meanwhile,
Subaru Tecnica International helped the vehicle shave , bringing the weight down to while reinforcing the chassis and putting on bigger brakes while adding some aerodynamic elements. The RA-R uses a turbocharged 2.0 flat-four (H4) engine from the S208, which has an output of at 7200 rpm and of torque in the range of 3200–4800 rpm. A new muffler gives the car an improved gas flow by approximately 60% and a throatier exhaust note.
WRX Raiu Edition In 2018, Subaru launched the 2019 WRX Raiu edition for the Canadian market, the first limited edition Subaru sold in Canada in 15 years. This model is similar to the Series. Gray edition sold in the US, with its name derived from the Japanese word for thunderstorm. This model was not available with a CVT, buyers could only get a 6-speed manual transmission. The Raiu Edition got upgrades like an STI-branded front lip, side sill, and rear side spoilers, along with a unique short-throw shifter. Black interior and exterior accents were added, with gunmetal finish 18" alloy wheels and Cool Grey Khaki paint also being the only wheel/color options. Jurid front brakes and red-painted calipers were also standard. The Raiu Edition also got the Sport-tech RS trim's existing features, including Recaro front seats with "
Ultrasuede," a seven-inch touchscreen "Starlink" multimedia system, and a nine-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system. Only 100 units of the Raiu Edition were made available, with a price point of $40,995 CAD.
WRX Series.Gray For the 2019 model year, the WRX Series.Gray was made available in the United States with production limited to 750 units.
WRX STI TC380 Subaru announced yet another limited-run model of the WRX STI trim for 2018. The TC380 is available only in Japan and one of their most powerful models to date with an output of . Modifications to each car are overseen by Japanese rally driver Toshihiro Arai, who competed in the World Rally Championship with Subaru. The improvements include a suite of HKS parts, including a GT III RS Sport turbo kit, Sport Turbo resonator and a high-flow catalytic converter. Arai Motorsports will install the HKS parts while adding components of its own, including an RQA air filter and an in-house front chassis brace to help with frame rigidity. A carbon fibre rear lip spoiler aids grip at insanely high speeds and serial-numbered Recaro bucket seats explicitly designed for the TC380 will hold the driver down inside. Overall the automaker plans to manufacture only 50 of the WRX STI TC380. The car will continue production until all 50 units are exhausted, joining a series of other limited edition WRX variants such as the Japanese RA-R, United States Seres.Gray and Canadian Raiu Editions.
WRX STI S209 For the 2019 model year, a special edition WRX STI S209 was made available, being the first S series STI sold in the US, and the third S series based on the VA series platform, following the S207 and S208. The S209 is the most expensive Subaru ever at , and is only sold in the US with 209 being built. It is also the most powerful, with and of torque out of a modified
EJ257. Canards are added to the front, and the STI Type RA's carbon roof and wing are retained. The suspension is improved and derived from other S series cars, along with Subaru's Nürburgring race car. The car is available in WR Blue with grey wheels and Crystal White with gold wheels. The S209 is also transported from the
Gunma,
Japan plant to Subaru's Kiryu-Kougo subsidiary to be finished since the S209 does not meet the standards for cars manufactured in Gunma. The car is sold under the STI brand rather than the Subaru brand, which has caused difficulties importing the car into the US.
WRX Series.White For the 2020 model year, the WRX Series.White was made available, with 500 units built, along with 500 STI models being made. Suspension and braking upgrades were included, along with cosmetic upgrades like bronze wheels and black accents. The car is only available in a special ceramic white.
WRX STI Kanrai Edition Again for the 2020 model year, but only available to the Canadian market, is the WRX STI Kanrai Edition. Only 75 units were available to the Canadian market compared to the Raiu Edition's 100 units. The WRX STI Kanrai Edition was built on the WRX STI Sport-Tech foundation. Kanrai, which translates to "winter thunder," sports an exclusive Ceramic White exterior paint along with the aggressive characteristics found in the WRX STI. Outfitted on this WRX STI is STI-tuned Bilstein performance suspension, lightweight 19" BBS forged alloy bronze-painted wheels paired with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, which deliver significant handling dynamics and grip. The standard Brembo 6-pot front and 2-pot rear brake system with cross-drilled rotors and silver painted calipers. Subaru removed the spare tire and replaced it with a repair kit to help this STI shave some pounds. The Kanrai incorporates a black low-profile lip spoiler, black badging, mirror caps, and shark fin antenna to complement the Ceramic White paint. What makes it pop is the black front grille receives the STI's unique cherry colour.
WRX STI EJ20 Final Edition A limited EJ20 Final Edition was made available in Japan in late 2019 to commemorate the end of production of the
EJ20 engine. With only 555 units produced, the limited edition has a balanced version of the
EJ20 engine, according to Subaru the pistons and connecting rods have a 50 percent reduction in weight differences, crankshafts have an 85 percent lower tolerance in rotational balance, flywheels and clutch covers have a 50 percent reduction in rotational balance tolerances, precision close to that of a racing engine.
Reception The 2015 WRX was met with mixed reviews by automotive journalists. It placed second to the 2015 Volkswagen GTI in separate comparison tests in the September 2014 issues of
Car and Driver and
Motor Trend. In general, it bested its sub-$30,000 competition in nearly every performance metric, but suffered from a cheaper interior and a less comfortable ride. Its styling is usually listed as polarizing, too, although the bulk of criticism in that area was based on the lack of a hatchback model. Performance numbers vary from publication to publication. Testing from
Car and Driver,
Road & Track and
Motor Trend produced 0–60 mph (97 km/h) times as fast as 4.8 seconds and as slow as 5.5 seconds. It runs the quarter-mile anywhere from 13.6 sec at to 14.0 sec at . (CVT-equipped WRXs are about a half-second slower to 60 mph and through the quarter-mile.) On the skidpad, roadholding numbers range from 0.92 G to 0.96 G. Braking from results in stops as short as 156–166 feet.
Issues WRX models from the 2015 through the 2019 model year suffer from rev hang, though rev hang was reduced for the 2020 model year. WRX STI models still suffer from past issues with the
EJ257 engine, like piston ring and rod bearing failure under certain conditions.
Safety == Second generation (VB; 2021) ==