Subaru used the Los Angeles Motor Show to offer us the production 2015 WRX. This is an all-new incarnation of its warm performance franchise that’s now far, far away from the world or rallying where the concept was bread.
Power comes via a new 2.0-liter direct0injected turbocharged four-cylinder boxer. The unit delivers 268 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque, which arrive between 2,000 and 5,000 rpm. Yes, the torque and especially the power gains are pretty small. However, the wide torque band, which matters so much in the real world, is miles wider than before.
The flat four is mated to a six-speed manual that pushes the 2015 WRX past the 60 mph mark in 5.4 seconds. There’s also a CVT gearbox, which adds an extra 0.5 seconds to the aforementioned sprint time. In the latest fashion, the CVT also comes with a paddle-shifting mode. In fact, it has two of them: it can offer a six- or an eight-speed game for the driver.
However, unlike most CVT setups, this one decreases the efficiency from 21 mpg city and 28 mph highway to 19/25 mpg.
So far, the CVT may appear like a no-buy option, but Subaru’s made sure this doesn’t happen. While the manual comes with a continuous AWD featuring a 50:50 split, the CVT features the cool Variable Torque Distribution system, which has a 45:55 split.
Subaru hasn’t announced the pricing or availability at this point, but they did come up with the comprehensive press release below.
The flat four is mated to a six-speed manual that pushes the 2015 WRX past the 60 mph mark in 5.4 seconds. There’s also a CVT gearbox, which adds an extra 0.5 seconds to the aforementioned sprint time. In the latest fashion, the CVT also comes with a paddle-shifting mode. In fact, it has two of them: it can offer a six- or an eight-speed game for the driver.
However, unlike most CVT setups, this one decreases the efficiency from 21 mpg city and 28 mph highway to 19/25 mpg.
So far, the CVT may appear like a no-buy option, but Subaru’s made sure this doesn’t happen. While the manual comes with a continuous AWD featuring a 50:50 split, the CVT features the cool Variable Torque Distribution system, which has a 45:55 split.
Subaru hasn’t announced the pricing or availability at this point, but they did come up with the comprehensive press release below.