Subaru: Fast track to driving fun

Subaru's performance oriented WRX STI handles real-world conditions with impressive aplomb. Photo / Supplied

The latest WRX STI is Subaru's fastest car - in the hands of Tommi Makinen it was four seconds quicker round the Nurburgring than the brand's previous best.

But what's truly impressive is how well such a car handles real-world conditions, as we discovered over a snarl of Waikato back roads.

What's new
The WRX sedan and hatch now share the same wide body style as the STI, albeit with smaller wings and wheels, and the same exhaust.

Otherwise changes concentrate on improving dynamics. The WRX has a wider track and stiffer suspension bushes.

The STI cars sit 5mm lower, with harder suspension bushes to keep the wheels pointing the right way, even when the road gets rough. Spring rates are stiffer, rebound damping and bump adjustment have been retuned to suit and other changes impart a flatter cornering attitude.

The company line
Subaru NZ managing director Wallis Dumper says: "It's nice to have a car that's evolving." It's also nice to have an auto, "it's something we've always looked for". Now he has to get the message across - assisted by intro prices that will last only until October 1's GST rise.

What we say
The STI's OTT spoilers, the wider track and flaring wings impart the visual flare this car needed to lift its look from plain to interesting.

Specification is generous - even the base model gets Bluetooth phone, climate-control air, cruise control and leather trim.

The $44,990 WRX five-speed manual catapults from zero to 100 in the same six seconds flat as the auto STI, which at $59,990 costs $15,000 more. The $61,990 six-speed manual STI is quickest, with a 5.2-second time.

On the road
By golly, these cars are impressive.

We started with the 2.5-litre, 195kW/343Nm turbo WRX five-speed manual, a confident handler with a delightful rush of power. This level of tyre noise would be unacceptable in a Corolla; it's a compromise you'll pay for so much driving fun.

Now step up to the STI auto. There's plenty of aural drama from this 221kW/350Nm 2.5 turbo engine. It's well-mated to the five-speed auto with its steering wheel-mounted shift paddles; power pouring down in an intoxicating rush.

But the 221kW/407Nm six-speed manual's the king. Slot it precisely through the cogs to make the most of every kilowatt - and truly appreciate just how capable these cars are.

With the driver-controlled centre diff in auto, the car corners remarkably flat, it's nimble and there's so much grip it'd take truly insane speeds to go pear-shaped, by which time you'd barrel-roll into orbit.

Yet it's also surprisingly comfy - Subaru's managed that difficult balance between sporting grip and enough real-world compliance to keep your kidneys and fillings intact.

Why you'll buy one
The STI manual for the accelerative rush it delivers; the auto because you want your commuter cake and Sunday funday, too. Or the entry-level WRX because, let's face it, this car's limits are way beyond yours and anything our law permits, so why pay for a performance edge you'll never fully use?

Why you won't
Performance means opera, not cars; you don't like the whiff of boy-racer that clings to older Subarus.