Boxer 4-door wide body: prepare to devour roads

FUJI Heavy Industries Ltd., the maker of Subaru automobiles, introduced the all-new 2015 WRX STI, Subaru’s iconic performance flagship model at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit recently.

Powered by the legendary 225kW 2.5-litre turbocharged Boxer® engine, the 2015 WRX STI debuts a new four-door wide-body design, built on a stiffer chassis for even greater handling agility and precision. The WRX STI provides a rally-bred drivetrain and all-wheel drive handling that is unique to this model. Handling is enhanced with a stiffer chassis, firmer springs and faster steering with a ratio of 13.0:1.

New for the 2015 WRX STI, Active Torque Vectoring joins an arsenal of the model’s proven handling technologies, which include Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD) with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive™, Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control and a Brembo® performance brake system with Super Sport ABS.

The 2015 WRX STI carries its bold personality inside as well, where new Alcantara seating surfaces accented by red and black leather bolsters and red stitching set the tone for the upgraded and roomier cabin. A driver-focused interior remains integral to the WRX STI performance character, with a new motorsport-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel and new whiplash-reducing performance-designed front seats with height and tilt-adjustable head restraints.

Iconic STI design exclusively in sedan form

A bolder front design makes the 2015 WRX STI look ready to devour the road. The nose-cone configuration combines the grille and bumper cap into one unit ahead of the bonnet, which for the 2015 model is made from aluminium to reduce weight over the front of the car.

Narrower headlights, designed to evoke a raptor’s stare, flank the hexagonal grille. It’s also a more powerful stare thanks to new standard LED low-beam headlights.

Other new performance-oriented details include fog light surrounds with a carbon fibre-like pattern and front fender vents that feature a mesh screen. A full aerodynamic body package includes the large boot spoiler that has always been a WRX STI signature feature.

New, stiffer chassis for greater handling agility

The 2015 WRX STI body structure makes greater use of high-tensile steel than the previous model and features special stiffening elements at key locations. As on previous WRX STI models, the 2015 version uses an exclusive inverted-strut front suspension system that provides higher levels of cornering agility. Aluminium front lower L-arms reduce unsprung vehicle weight. The STI-tuned suspension teams up with standard 18-inch wheels and 245/40R18 performance tyres.

225kW turbo Boxer® engine

The 2015 WRX STI is powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder Boxer® engine that employs a Dual Active Valve Control System (Dual AVCS). The engine, which is exclusive to the STI model, produces 225kW at 6 000rpm and 393Nm of peak torque at 4 000rpm. The WRX STI engine is teamed with a s six-speed manual transmission.

Premium cabin

A one-inch longer wheelbase than the previous WRX STI helps provide a roomier cabin in the new model. The windshield is more raked than before, with the A-pillar pulled forward nearly eight inches at the base for better forward visibility, aided by a lower dashboard and narrower A-pillars. Lower side sills and wider-opening doors make ingress/egress easier. Rear seat legroom is increased by nearly two inches, and boot capacity is now 340 litres, up from 320 in the previous WRX STI sedan. A standard 60/40-split fold-down rear seat extends versatility. Standard features for the 2015 WRX STI include dual-zone automatic climate control. The new standard audio system combines AM/FM stereo, a single-disc in-dash CD player, six speakers, MP3/WMA capability, Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, a USB port and an aux jack. Numerous compartments located in and around the centre console hold phones, USB drives and MP3 players.

Subaru safety

Subaru’s renowned safety package uses the brand’s proven Ring-Shaped Reinforcement™ frame body structure, which has been shown to excel in the new small overlap test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In the cabin, a driver’s knee airbag is added to the roster of safety features that includes front side pelvis/torso airbags and side curtain airbags that offer front and rear outboard seat coverage.