MELBOURNE: Subaru finally has unveiled features of it new sedan Subaru WRX in Australia. The new sedan is featured with a 2L turbocharged boxer engine which is capable of covering 100km in just 9.1 liters of petrol. Bluetooth options is also included in the car which can be used for handfree class and for music streaming.
The exterior’s showmanship is a lot louder than the rest of this car because inside is a civilised sedan that has straps for baby seats and a generous boot that is inviting to tents and sleeping bags. Take away the red stitching and the faux carbon fibre accents and what remains is a wonderfully simplistic console, leather-clad sports seats and an option list comparable to its European rivals.
There isn’t a myriad of dials littering the dashboard. Instead the turbo gauge is displayed on a 4.3-inch LCD screen. It alternates with other graphics, like petrol consumption, the grip of each tyre, or an analogue clock.
More graphics can be found on the 6.1-inch touchscreen used to manage the infotainment system. The GPS is detailed and intuitive and the voice control, although understanding of commands, lacks contextual awareness. It needs to be told “handsfree” ahead of making a phone call, rather than just saying “Call Belinda”.
Bluetooth can be used for handsfree calls or to stream music. Don’t go plugging in 256GB sticks into the USB port like yours truly because it will cause the system to randomly reboot. Stick to thumb drives sized a responsible 64GB or less.
Turn off the power and the console looks simple. It has plenty of tech but Subaru hasn’t congested and overwhelmed drivers by laying it all bare. Rather they’ve made sophisticated features easy to access, and that is a feat.
Matching the comfort of the interior is an exceptionally comfortable ride. Driving off tarmac and onto loose gravel in New South Wales’ Picton did little to phase the WRX. At one point we glanced down at the speedometer to see it read a comfortable 60km/h, which isn’t the best of ideas when the car’s tyres are kicking about pellets of stone.
Many varied elements go into making this car formidable against potholes and bumps: the weight is a modest 1537kg; the chassis is well built; the quality of the suspension; and the all-wheel drivetrain.
Under the hood is a 2L turbocharged boxer engine that produces 197kW, revs out 6500rpm and will get the WRX from a standstill to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds. Power is one continuous surge, and because it is delivered to all four wheels, the WRX feels composed at speeds north of 100km/h.
