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Carsales Staff28 Apr 2015
NEWS

Subaru upgrades WRX and STI

Turbocharged road rockets updated, due in Australia later in year

Subaru of America has released upgraded model year 2016 WRX and WRX STI models, with the lion's share of changes focussed on infotainment and trim levels.

Like the recently updated Impreza, Liberty, Outback and Forester, Subaru's go-fast duo are now fitted with larger touch-screen infotainment systems — 6.2-inch on entry-level models and 7.0-inch for premium variants.

As well as appointing reversing cameras as standard, the more modern infotainment systems bundle in Bluetooth and smartphone app connectivity, while premium models gain advanced touch (pinch, swipe etc) control, text message read and response functionality, dual USB ports and satellite-navigation.

A nine-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo can be had on American models too and considering most of these additions are already available on Subaru's Australian vehicle range it won't be long before the WRX/STI get them.

Subaru Australia's national corporate affairs manager, David Rowley, said the company "hasn't announced MY16 for those cars," and provided no information on when they might arrive in Australia.

We expect the updated WRX and STI will arrive here mid-year or thereabouts, and if the new version follows that of the US we could also see the adoption of 18-inch alloy wheels on some WRX models. Currently only 17-inch wheels are standard.

North American buyers of the STI can also opt for a low-rise rear spoiler in lieu of the gregarious large wing.

There are no mechanical changes to the cars, which means the $38,990 WRX retains its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine worth 197kW/350Nm, and the $49,990 WRX STI continues with its fiery 2.5-litre 221kW/407Nm turbo-boxer four-banger.

It's unlikely that the more advanced Japanese-spec 2.0-litre WRX STI engine, which is slightly more potent with 224kW/422Nm, will be offered in Australia when the MY16 update rolls out.

Nevertheless, Subaru Australia will be in no hurry to launch the MY16 models, with the WRX and WRX STI seeing huge sales growth since launching here in March and April last year respectively.

Sales almost doubled from 1885 in 2013 to 3554 in 2014 and for the first three months of 2015 sales have increase almost 180 per cent, with 848 WRX/STI cars finding homes so far this year.

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Written byCarsales Staff
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