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Sunday / 16 February 2025
HomeNewsNew Subaru WRX launches in South Africa – Pricing and specifications

New Subaru WRX launches in South Africa – Pricing and specifications

The new Subaru WRX has been introduced to South Africa at a starting price of R759,000.

Two trim levels of the performance-focused sedan are available both powered by the same turbocharged Boxer engine.

The new Subaru is said to be the “most refined WRX to date” offering enhanced handling and safety credentials over its predecessor.

World Rally eXperimental

The 2022 Subaru WRX – WRX being short for World Rally eXperimental – is the fifth model to bear this badge and is powered by a new 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged Boxer engine delivering 202kW and 350Nm – a 5kW improvement over the previous generation.

Drive is translated to all four corners via a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while a newly-developed eight-speed automatic Subaru Performance Transmission is also offered, providing 50% faster shifts than the outgoing model.

The automatic derivative is further fitted with an adaptive suspension system, too, as well as the Si-Drive Performance Management programme providing multiple drive modes for various on-road and off-road scenarios.

The manual then returns a combined fuel consumption reading of 9.9l/100km compared to the automatic’s 8.5l/100km, but unfortunately, Subaru has yet to reveal the official performance readouts for its new WRX.

Unofficial testing by Car and Driver has shown that the manual WRX is capable of hitting 100km/h in around 5.5 seconds.

On the styling front, the new sports sedan is 10mm lower, 75mm longer, and 30mm wider than before, with the South African specifications sitting on 18-inch alloys as standard.

Subaru’s signature bonnet scoop can be seen at the front tying in with the sharp LED headlights and hexagonal grille to achieve an imposing look.

The sportiness is emphasised on the side profile by wheel arch claddings with integrated air outlets, while the restyled rear bumper not only looks more aggressive than before but also calms the chaotic airflow being sent out the back while you drive.

The rear spoiler also serves to convert this guided airflow into better rear-end stability, said the manufacturer.

On top of this, the new WRX is built on Subaru’s Global Platform offering 14% increased lateral rigidity and 28% increased torsional rigidity. Coupled with a more rigid frame and longer suspension stroke this vastly improves stability and grip over the outgoing generation.

The rear stabilizer bar is now also mounted directly to the body instead of the subframe to decrease body roll.

Equipment

The new WRX is sold in one specification grade with an extensive list of equipment as standard.

Owners are treated to a vertical 11.6-inch infotainment display connected to a 10-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, the system providing a “wide range of entertainment and vehicle-related functions” such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and integrated navigation.

Additionally, the sports sedan comes with stylish “Ultrasuede” upholstery, a leather multifunction steering wheel, keyless entry and start, an electric driver seat, three-stage front and rear seat heaters, a sunroof, climate control, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic LED lights with high-beam assist.

Safety systems are also plentiful across the range and buyers can expect to find eight airbags, a driver monitor, one-touch lane change, and auto vehicle hold in each new WRX.

Once again, however, the pricier automatic model is set apart by memory functions for the driver seat, an electronic parking brake, automatic reverse braking, aluminium pedals, and the EyeSight 4.0 driver-assist package.

The latter brings a pre-collision braking system, autonomous emergency steering, lane departure prevention, adaptive cruise and steering control, traffic sign recognition, and an intelligent speed limiter – and it is reserved exclusively for the self-shifting WRX.

Price

The South African pricing and model line-up for the new Subaru WRX are as follows:

  • Subaru WRX 2.4DIT Manual – R759,000
  • Subaru WRX 2.4DIT tS ES CVT – R859,000

Each purchase includes a 5-year/150,000km warranty and a 3-year/75,000km maintenance plan.


Subaru WRX


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