Contrary to its rumored demise, the WRX STI has been launched once again, in all-new model form at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. As before, the new STI WRX will be powered by a 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder engine turbocharged to produce 305hp.
The all-new chassis is a four-dour wide-body design, with stiffened platform for reportedly improved handling. Steering is also faster, with a 13:1 ratio. Helping to keep the car on the road are torque vectoring with adjustable differential, multi-mode stability control, Brembo brakes with ABS, and of course all-wheel drive.
Inside is an Alcantara-trimmed interior with red accents, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and, should you wish to pump out some tunes, a Harman/kardon audio system.
The STI will be exclusively available in sedan form. It features a “nose-cone” grille and bumper cap made from aluminum, LED headlamps, unique fenders, doors and quarter panels, and of course the infamous intercooler hood scoop.
More high-tensile steel in the chassis and a quicker steering ratio at 2.5 turns lock to lock (versus 3.8 for the standard WRX) will hopefully translate to more entertaining handling. Standard 18-inch wheels with 245/40 R18 summer tires will be at the corners, with the Launch Edition and Limited models riding on BBS forged aluminum wheels.
The engine will pump out 305hp and 393Nm to a six-speed manual transmission, with a short-throw shifter in the Launch Edition model. The center differential splits the torque 41:59 front rear, with ability to send the torque to either axle via limited-split center differential. The rear differential is also limited slip using the Torsen system. The center differential has six driver-selectable levels of lock.
The all-new WRX is expected to make its way to the Philippines soon, perhaps in time for the Manila International Auto Show on April 3, 2014.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
