The Subaru WRX is getting closer and closer to launch with pre-orders now open for the iconic sports sedan.
The fifth generation of WRX will be priced to start at $44,990 before on-road costs and will be available in three variants: WRX, WRX RS, and WRX tS.
That entry price is up $4000 from the last generation of WRX which started at $40,990 before on-road costs.
The MY22 WRX AWD and WRX Sportswagon AWD
Learn more about the Subaru WRX:
- Subaru WRX STI cancelled due to short lifespan
- New 2.4-litre engine delivers worse fuel economy for Subaru WRX in US
- Why does the Subaru have cladding?
Both WRX AWD and WRX AWD RS will be available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a Subaru Performance automatic transmission.
The Sportswagon, which is priced from $49,990 before on-roads, will also be available in three trim levels: Sportwagon, Sportwagon GT and Sportwagon tS.
New sports automatic transmission (née CVT)
A new sports transmission has been developed for the WRX which includes an eight-speed manual shift mode with automatic downshift blipping control.
A traditional six-speed manual continues to be available for the WRX sedan only.
This gearbox is mated to an upgraded 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 202kW/350Nm. That is only a 5kW increase from the previous WRX’s 2.0-litre flat-four engine, with torque unchanged.
A six-speed manual will be offered along with a CVT
The WRX will compete with other sports orientated models such as the upcoming Toyota GR Corolla and even the Volkswagen Golf R, however both will produce more power and torque than the WRX.
In the high end tS version of the WRX, both drive mode select and electronic control dampers are standard.
These dampers, along with a 14 percent increase in front lateral rigidity and 28 percent increase in chassis torsional rigidity, enable greater stability at the limit.
Specification of the new Subaru WRX
Both sedan and Sportswagon variants will receive a large 11.6-inch touchscreen with vertical orientation, similar to the system used in other Subaru models such as the Outback.
Standard features include dual zone climate control, leather steering wheel and sports bucket seats across the range. More specifications are likely to be released closer to the car’s on sale date.
The new Subaru WRX only gains very slight power upgrades
Safety technologies featured in the new WRX with automatic transmission are adaptive cruise control, emergency lane keep assist, lane centering, pre-collision braking system, pre-collision brake assist, pre-collision throttle management, autonomous emergency steering, speed sign recognition and an intelligent speed limiter.
Full specifications will be confirmed by Subaru Australia in the coming months.
Subaru WRX 2022: prices in Australia
All prices listed are before on-road costs.
- WRX manual: $44,990
- WRX auto: $48,990
- WRX RS manual: $50,490
- WRX RS auto: $54,490
- WRX tS auto: $56,990
- WRX Sportswagon: $49,990
- WRX Sportswagon GT: $55,490
- WRX Sportswagon tS: $57,990