“Never
driven a Scooby? If you
think
Subaru’s
hot-hatch Imprezas
are only for petrolheads then think
again. Our advice? Get behind
the wheel of the quick but user-
friendly WRX S..”
WHILE YOU COULD BUY the 155mph road-racer STI 330 S that scorches to 60mph
in a gut-wrenching 4.4 seconds, the less hardcore WRX S represents
an excellent compromise between seriously fast and enjoyably quick everyday
driving.
Based on the WRX, the £21,790 'S' appeals from the off by offering £4,500
worth of extra value for just a £2,500 premium. First up for tweaks —
all carried out by Banbury-based Prodrive — has been the 2.5-litre 'boxer'
engine's ECU. The result of the ECU reprogramming, along with a Prodrive exhaust
system, can be immediately felt once behind the wheel: power has gone up from
226bhp to 252bhp; and torque has also increased — by a substantial 51lb
ft, jumping from 236 at 2,800rpm to 288lb ft at 3,000rpm.
Top speed is pegged at 130mph and the 0-60mph time is a more than respectable
5.9 seconds. As you'd expect from the step up in torque, in-gear flexibility
is crisp and the unit copes easily in town amongst congested traffic. The
WRX S's official fuel consumption figures are Urban 19.5mpg, Combined 24.6
and Extra Urban 29.1mpg. CO2 emissions are 270g/km. Our week's enthusiastically-driven
test resulted in an average of 23.6mpg.
Externally
the WRX S looks the part, thanks to the distinguishing bonnet air intake-cum-power
bulge, black honeycomb STI front grille, STI front lip spoiler, body-coloured
STI rear roof spoiler, wraparound rear bumper with integrated diffuser and 18-inch
GT1 alloy wheels finished in Anthracite wearing 'rubber band' 225/40 Pirelli
P-Zero Nero tyres that not only look good but also enhance turn-in.
Inside
the cockpit you'll now find a Momo 'Air-Race' aluminium-and-leather gear knob,
leather-wrapped steering wheel and 10-speaker audio system while out of sight
there's all-wheel drive and a rear limited-slip differential with Subaru's Vehicle
Dynamics Control system.
|
“A
driver-friendly
‘working’ environment
with decent soft-touch
plastics; red-on-black
dials glow intensely
when you twist the key
in the ignition...”
|
The
cabin provides the same driver-friendly 'working' environment with decent soft-touch
plastics and the blood red-on-black dials glow intensely when you twist the
key in the ignition. The three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel is track-day
hard but feels good in your hands and features audio and cruise control buttons
on the horizontal spokes.
The bucket-type front sports seats, upholstered in leather and Alcantara, are
as grippy and supportive as they look and sport embroidered 'WRX S' motifs.
The climate control knobs are large and foolproof and the hi-fi is more than
capable of entertaining you when the WRX S's performance is not.
Other standard equipment includes automatic climate control air conditioning,
cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls, four electric windows (driver's
with one-shot auto up/down), heated, electrically adjustable and power-fold
door mirrors, a decent sound system with CD/MP3/WMA RDS Radio, 10 speakers,
in-dash autochanger and remote audio steering wheel controls, auxiliary audio
input for MP3 player (3.5mm jack), leather/auto suede seat and interior trim
with embroidered logos on seatbacks, trip computer, WRX S branded carpet mats,
speed-sensitive power steering, 60:40 split/fold rear seat, hill start assist,
reach and tilt adjustable steering wheel, height and tilt adjustable driver's
seat, height-adjustable front seat belts, Xenon headlamps with automatic levelling
and pop-up headlamp washers, rear privacy glass, rear wash/wipe and a windscreen
wiper de-icer and, always useful, an illuminated ignition switch.
You also get driver and front passenger airbags, front side airbags and curtain
airbags, ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist,
a centre differential with viscous LSD, Subaru's Vehicle Dynamics Control and,
of course, symmetrical all-wheel drive.
You'll
find plenty of space up front along with decent room in the back, made better
for those travelling in the rear by a comfortable backrest angle although there's
no centre armrest but you do get three rear seat belts and Isofix child seat
mountings. Thanks to the high rear roofline the rear cabin is spacious and will
just accommodate two six-footers although the middle seat is best for a child.
So four adults can travel in the Impreza hatchback — and for long trips.
Note that the ride quality in the rear is particularly good for a sporting hatch.
The boot will hold 301 litres of luggage; drop down the split rear seats and
the boot converts to a 1,216-litre cargo bay with a perfectly level floor.
|
“The
WRX S
is
no shrinking violet
and its handling
composure, even when
pushed hard,
is consistent and
predictable...”
|
What
makes the zippy WRX S an ideal everyday car is the pliant ride — not too
rigid but not too soft either. And it's good enough to make the hatchback Scooby
very pleasant everyday transport. That said, neither does the ride degrade the
Impreza's handling qualities so getting from A to B — particularly on demanding
B-roads — is enjoyable. And all made even more pleasant by the five-speed
manual 'box's light, slick and precise change action.
While
not as hard-charging as the monstrously quick STi versions, the WRX S is no
shrinking violet and its handling composure, even when pushed hard, is consistent
and predictable. Body roll is well controlled and grip is always 'sticky' —
and most appreciated when tackling fast bends and second-gear corners. Better
still, one doesn't need to be a rally ace stay in control. The WRX S is a very
easy car to drive quickly and safely — and, Yes, you would let you mother
drive it!
Like the harder-charging STi variants, the WRX S is still a committed driver;
the speed-sensitive power steering is confidence-inspiringly accurate and nicely
in sync with the traction-rich symmetrical all-wheel drive chassis. As a driving
machine it all works a treat. Add to that great progressive brakes and the WRX
S delivers a tasty brew of 'hot' and 'hatch'.
The WRX S is an affable and competent hot hatch that's both easy and pleasurable
to drive, comfortable for four adults and it even rides over speed bumps and
our potholed British roads with surprisingly acceptable finesse. For the price
and the easily accessible performance, it's perfect for part-time as well as
devoted driving enthusiasts. — MotorBar
|
Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX S | £21,790
Maximum speed: 130mph | 0-60mph: 5.9 seconds | Overall test MPG: 23.6mpg
Power: 252bhp | Torque: 288lb ft | CO2 270g/km
|
