This won’t be the first time I would see the Subaru Impreza WRX STI in the flesh. I first saw it in action at The Manila International Auto Show with precision driver Russ Swift behind the wheel. I’m no Mr. Swift, but this weekend was my first time driving a Subaru with north of 300 horsepower available on tap. This brings a heightened sense of danger and anticipation at the same time, especially since the WRX STI is a car that calls attention to itself, even when it’s standing perfectly still.
Though the five-door hatchback Impreza looks sleek, it’s undeniably dull. So, it’s about right that Subaru’s tuning arm, STI (Subaru Technica International) injected massive doses of steroids transforming the Dr. Banner Impreza into the Incredible Hulk WRX STI. It’s unashamed of its rally car heritage with its massive intercooler hood scoop, honeycomb grille and front bumper ducts. It also has a widened track and body with a larger rear spoiler that actually reduces wind drag. Like all WRX STIs before it, it looks downright handsome in its trademark WR Blue Mica, but any of its other five colors look equally well suited. Fan boys will feel a bit irate with the softer styling and the loss of the gold alloy wheels (still an available option), but for the rest of us, it still attracts a huge amount of jaw drops.
The loss of the gold alloys signals a more restrained approach on the WRX STI, which is even more evident in the interior treatment. There’s no garish color combination here, just a classic and straight-forward black-on-black color scheme. Like its body, the WRX STI starts out with the regular Impreza’s high-quality cabin. The shortened and flat dash design gives it impressive interior room (for its size) and good front visibility that’s not hampered by the extra-large turbo scoop. A pinch of differentiation is provided by numerous STI badges as well as the grippy Alcantara racing bucket seats and on the center console. For the first time, the WRX STI doesn’t come with a Momo steering wheel, but the thick-rimmed three-spoker (also found in the regular Impreza) is just as good.
However, all this talk about restraint is thrown out the window once the key to the 2.5-liter Boxer engine is twisted. The turbocharged engine lets out a burble, a hint at the car’s extreme performance. Unlike a typical four-banger, the unique layout of the Flat-4 engine means it doesn’t let out a mechanical drone. Beyond the forced induction method, Subaru also employed a new Dual Active Valve Control System (Dual AVCS) that improves the torque curve, drivability and fuel economy.
Despite the huge power, the WRX STI is a forgiving car to drive. Despite coming a traditional 6-speed manual gearbox (as opposed to a fancy dual clutch automatic), slotting into each gear is a since with precise engagement. The shift action is longer and weightier than you’d come to expect from a sports car, but the space between each slot is fairly small as not to completely remove the sporty feel. The clutch is a tad on the weighty side, but not to the level as to make it uncomfortable for everyday driving. Working further in the clutch’s favor is a good pedal modulation. The three-tier gauge cluster features a large center-mounted tachometer with a programmable shift indicator. At default, it indicates the optimum rev range as to keep the turbo continuously spooled.
After a bit of warm up, it was time to get down and dirty. There are two driving systems unique to the WRX STI and I just had to try both. First is Subaru Intelligent Drive or SI-Drive. First seen in the Outback, it allows for driver-adjustable throttle and shift settings. Second and a source of most on-road hijinks is the Driver’s Control Center Differential or DCCD. This little toggle switch located below the SI-Drive knob allows changeable ratios of power distribution between axles at the mere flick of a switch.
On the open road, it’s hard to appreciate the fancy DCCD, so best keep it in ‘Auto’. However, as I had the chance to drive the WRX STI on a closed track, it becomes easy to appreciate the system. The highlight of the day is a long sweeping left hander near the end of the track. Taking it first at ‘Auto’, the WRX STI behaves impeccably well-balanced, with just a hint of under steer—making it forgiving for inexperienced drivers. The second time around, the system was set to ‘Minus’, where the car puts more power through the rear wheels. This equates to more cornering gusto, tail swinging and downright speed resulting in the aforementioned tire squeals thanks to more over steer. ‘Plus’ was never tested as this is reserved where low-speed traction is necessary, like snow or mud.
As fast and stable the WRX STI is, it is equally impressive in stopping itself dead in its tracks. STI gifted the car with much more bite thanks to a performance braking system courtesy of Brembo. Even the anti-lock brakes were re-tuned to provide a sportier feel and less obtrusion, which they dubbed, Super Sports ABS.
Although the WRX STI will always be seen as a rally car for the road, Subaru has actually done a lot of homework to improve the hospitability of this car for everyday use. Aside from the aforementioned mentioned roomy interior, this car features a much more rigid body than before. You still can’t equate the ride of the WRX STI to a typical comfort-oriented compact sedan, but considering the capabilities of this car, it’s still on the bearable side. Its only weaknesses is riding through small ruts (like the ones caused by poor asphalt road construction), where the car tends to hop through bumps jarring the cabin. The steering is nicely balanced too, but beware: because of its wider track and larger tires, the WRX STI does have a larger turning radius than you’d expect from a car its size.
Subaru’s move to make the WRX STI more livable may tick some fan boys off since the WRX STI was once reserved for those who were willing to suffer a bit of spinal trauma for a slice of rally driving excitement. Although the Subaru Impreza WRX STI is now easier to drive and much more sophisticated, it is no less capable and sportier than before. It still is a monster to drive, and can bite you back when you least expect it. It must be remembered that Subaru is a brand built around innovative engineering and the STI is a modern legend in the high performance car arena. The new WRX STI continues this illustrious lineage not only by its extraordinary performance, but also giving the ultimate driving experience any day, everyday.
By Ulysses Ang | Photos By Ulysses Ang
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