Pros :
- Powerful turbo engine.
- Supportive front bucket seats.
- Mean styling with bulging fenders and hood scoop.
- The beauty of Subaru all-wheel-drive.
- Bargain price for a hot rod sedan.
Cons :
- Mild understeer during cornering.
- Slight turbo lag.
- Brake fade is a concern.
- Sub-compact back seat legroom.
- First-generation Impreza still looks the best.
Interior :
Press Coverage :
Subaru has an all-new Impreza lineup for 2002. Value-oriented models are gone, replaced by high-performance models. Headlining this exciting lineup is the WRX, one of the most exciting new models from anyone this year, especially for rally fans. Though based on an economy car, the WRX is a factory hot rod that combines turbocharging, four-wheel drive, rally breeding, and attitude. The WRX is available as a sedan and a sport wagon.
The engines feature Subaru's horizontally opposed cylinder layout, which lowers the hood line and the center of gravity. WRX models are powered by a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter engine that generates 227 horsepower. There is a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, the latter with Subaru's advanced Variable Torque Distribution AWD.
The WRX presents the striking appearance of too much machine for the wrapper, bulging out at each fender, its engine reaching for more cooling air through a prominent hood scoop. These features are expressions of the rally heritage of the WRX. The WRX sedan is distinguished by its blister fender flares that permit a 20 mm wider front track. (The 2.5 RS is distinguished by the same fenders as the WRX.) The WRX Sport Wagon has wheel openings with raised lips, as do the 2.5 TS and the Outback Sport. Bridgestone Potenza RE92 all-season performance tires size 205/55R16 are fitted on 16x6.5-inch alloy wheels.
Rallying inspired the huge oval headlamps and the large round fog lamps set in the cavernous lower radiator opening. Small scoops around the fog lamps are indeed functional, channeling cooling air toward the front brake disks. The scoop in the light-weight aluminum hood directs air over the turbo's intercooler. Turn signals are integrated into the big headlamps. It's all finished with a distinctively contoured rear deck; the rear fenders almost form fins.
Subaru has gone to significant lengths to make the enthusiast driver feel at home in the WRX. Most obvious are the rally-style front seats, with large side bolsters intended to keep driver and passenger in place during hard cornering, and the Momo sport steering wheel. Momo is also wheelmaker to Ferrari and other exotic carmakers, so the wheel bears the Momo logo in its center, rather than Subaru. The shifter and handbrake handle, lever-style between the seats, are covered in black leather. Front seat side-impact airbags are standard, as are three-point front belts with electrically triggered pretensioners and force limiters. Just about everyone should be able to get comfortable in the WRX, which has tilt wheel and a height-adjustable driver's seat. The pedals are sporty-looking aluminum alloy with rubber grips. Included are a standard 6-disc in-dash CD-player and logic control cassette player. The right side of the dash proves a large glovebox can coexist with a passenger-side airbag. The rear seat is roomy for a subcompact.
Power windows, central locking and air conditioning are all standard, as are a rear defroster, power mirrors, overhead maplights and, so you can remember what you're driving, WRX-embroidered floormats. In fact, there are no factory options, though ground effects moldings, a rear spoiler, and 17-inch wheels and tires will be available as dealer or port-installed options. The trunk is roomy, and there's a pass-through behind a rear-seat armrest, but the Impreza still has old-fashioned hinge arms for the trunk lid that take up space when the lid is closed.
The Impreza WRX is an absolute hoot to drive. First of all, it's got lots of power. As mentioned, its turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter engine generates 227 horsepower, which delivers strong motivation to a 3,100-pound car. And there's nothing like a generous dollop of horsepower in a compact chassis to twist the excitement dial over to the right.
Brisk acceleration is almost casual, the driver finding that the car arrives at the speed limit much sooner than usual. But slam the pedal to the floor: the WRX just grips and goes. The engine never gets loud, never gets raucous, but does sound like a very serious Subaru, one that's been spending a little extra time in the gym.
Gear ratios on the five-speed manual gearbox are well matched to the engine's torque curve, with second gear good to the high side of 60 mph. The shifter is quick and accurate and the transmission always willing to go to the next gear. This car is extremely stable. All-wheel drive eliminates any hint of torque steer under hard acceleration, a mode we constantly found ourselves in. The suspension has been well tuned to reduce understeer, the tendency for the front of the car to push toward the outside of a turn. When driven very hard, the WRX responds appropriately and enthusiastically to an enthusiast driver's input. Subaru has learned the hard lessons of world-class rallying well. Around town, the ride quality is firm. The short 99.4-inch wheelbase and sports suspension make a luxurious ride impossible. Textured pavement generates noticeable road noise in the cabin, but the WRX never feels harsh. Wind noise is almost nonexistent. And the standard audio system sounds greet.
We drove the WRX over some rough roads, the kind they use for special stages in rallies. Along with some race instructors, we beat the WRX like a living room rug over a clothesline and it never shook or shuddered, much less fell apart like it should have done. We came away impressed, not only that the Impreza wasn't shedding parts, but that it felt as solid as chunk of concrete. That bodes well for its long-term durability, as well as for the other Impreza models, which are built on the same solid chassis.
Big disc brakes quickly bring everything back to a more sedate level of activity. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard, with big 11.4-inch front rotors and twin-piston front calipers. Four-channel/four-sensor anti-lock brakes are also standard.
Enthusiast drivers are lining up three deep for the Impreza WRX, with waiting lists at dealerships and fan websites set up even before the car was introduced.
Nctd.com
History:
1993-2001 Subaru Impreza WRX Turbo
1,994 cc / 215 hp / 214 lb-ft / 2717 lbs / 0-60 mph 5.4 sec.
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