Sneak peek! The 2014 Subaru WRX is the most powerful, best handling yet

MANILA, Philippines - At a small round table interview held at the sidelines of last month’s Mediacorp Subaru Palm Challenge in Singapore, Motor Image’s Executive Director, Glenn Tan, unleashed a bombshell: the all-new Subaru WRX is making its way back to the Philippines; and will do so by the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) from April 3 to 6, 2014.

Though the news could have been broken then and there, it was wise to hold off the official announcement at least until more information about the all-new WRX is made available. For that, a full month had to pass when Subaru finally lifted the curtains off their iconic sports sedan at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Powering the 2014 WRX is an all-new 2.0-liter Boxer engine with 268hp at 5,600 rpm and 350Nm of torque from a broad 2,000 to 5,200 rpm rev range. Using a myriad of technologies including a twin-scroll turbocharger, the all-new WRX can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds and can return up to 12 km/L.

Mated to this engine is a new 6-speed manual transmission, the first ever for a WRX; and even bigger news: the availability of a new Sport Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission. Engineered specifically for performance driving, the new Sport Lineartronic promises a smooth driving character with a choice of pre-selected “gears” in 6- and 8-speed modes. Furthermore, the Subaru Intelligent Drive or SI-DRIVE is also made available for the first time.

With the new engine mounted even lower in the chassis compared to the outgoing model, the all-new WRX receives Subaru’s trademark Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive in two flavors. The manual transmission equipped models feature a viscous coupling locking center differential with a 50/50 front-to-rear torque split, while the Sport Lineartronic models get a Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) that splits the torque 45/55. The VTD then optimizes the power distribution as needed based on driving conditions and steering inputs. Improving the WRX’s handling is a Torque Vectoring Control system that increases cornering speeds, further supplementing the new and stiffer chassis, larger brakes, and performance-tuned suspension.

Outside, the all-new WRX blends an aggressive stance with a sophisticated sports sedan theme. It features a bold front end with a deep front spoiler and hexagonal grille. The grille is flanked by angular headlights while the trademark functional hood scoop is set more deeply to provide better forward visibility. The wide body stance is clear when viewed at an angle and each fender is filled in with 235/45R-17 performance wheels and tires. The side sill spoilers also help visually lower the car while help protect the doors from rock chips. At the back, the WRX has a lip spoiler and protruding taillights that curve along the fenders. The look is completed by quad-tip tailpipes.

Inside, the WRX carries on with its sports sedan feel with a new flat-bottom three-spoke steering wheel with integrated switches. There’s also a promise of richer-looking appointments including the use of carbon fiber and metallic accents in the cabin along with soft-touch materials on the dashboard, door trim, and center console armrest. The interior is also larger than the outgoing model with wider door openings for improved ingress and egress. The WRX features a dual-gauge instrument layout with a 3.5-inch LCD central screen to display various functions including oil level and selected gear. A new multi-information central display with a 4.3-inch LCD provides a multitude of vehicle system functions including display for the rear parking camera. Other convenience features of the WRX include push-button engine start/stop, leather seating, a powered driver’s seat, and a 440-watt 9-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system.

In the very same interview, Tan also revealed at the all-new Subaru WRX STI will also be presented to the Philippine public at MIAS (global debut is set for the 2014 North American International Auto Show in January). Furthermore, Tan believes that there is finally room for both the WRX and the WRX STI in the Philippines. He revealed that the WRX will be repositioned as an upscale premium sports sedan while the WRX STI remains as the brand’s “hardcore” car. “Subarists”, a new term coined by Subaru at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show to describe long-time Subaru fanatics, will undoubtedly have a lot to look forward to in 2014.