news

2009 Subaru WRX Hatch And Sedan Upgrades

Subaru is upping the ante with its 2009 Impreza WRX, adding more power, more torque and a raft of detail changes aimed at further developing the WRX’s on-road performance, ensuring its competitveness with the likes of Mitsubishi’s Ralliart

Steane Klose

04:0302 December 2008

0comments

2009 Subaru WRX Hatch And Sedan Upgrades

Subaru is upping the ante with its 2009 Impreza WRX, adding more power, more torque and a raft of detail changes aimed at further developing the WRX's on-road performance, ensuring its competitveness with the likes of Mitsubishi's Ralliart Lancer.

In addition to the MY09 upgrades, the sedan variant of the WRX will be added to the Australian line-up to complement the hatch, with both body styles sharing the same turbocharged AWD drivetrains.

Power output from the WRX’s 2.5 litre turbocharged engine has been increased to 195kWs at 6000 rpm and 343Nms at 4000 rpm, while fuel efficiency has also been improved, with the combined cycle figure dropping from 10.7 l/100km to 10.4 l/100km. Similarly, carbondioxide emissions are down from 252 g/km to 247 g/km.

“Controlled aggression sums up the MY09 Impreza WRX – it performs better across the board, from power and torque to carbon footprint, which is a major engineering achievement,” said Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia

Subaru engineers have also worked to improve the shift feel of the WRX’s transmission, through use of a ball type key for the first and second gear synchro hubs and a change to the key groove on third and fourth synchro sleeve.

Hardened materials are used for the main shaft and first driven gear, while operation of the clutch slave cylinder now incorporates an orifice valve to protect the drivetrain during rapid clutch engagement.

Suspension settings and components have also been revised for 2009. Although biased towards sports handling, the 09 setup is said to retain good ride comfort, grip and stability when driven enthusiastically. The coil springs, stabilizers and top mounts are stiffened and roll rigidity increased to improve maximum lateral G and turning ability. The shock absorbers have also been fine-tuned to provide linear response with minimal delay when steering.

Wheels and tyres have been chosen to complement the revised suspension tune, to ensure optimum performance. The Dunlop SP Sport 01 tyres are now wider (increased to 225/45 from 205/50), and fitted to 17 x 7 JJ alloy wheels.

The highlights of the MY09 Impreza WRX:

0-100 km/h time improved from 5.8 seconds (MY08) to 5.31 seconds
26 kWs more power
23 Nms more torque
Increased boost
Enhanced suspension package - sharper, more aggressive handling
Better fuel efficiency (combined cycle/ADR 81/01)
Carbondioxide emissions reduced
Options of leather trim with sunroof, and satellite navigation
New mesh grille, with WRX badges front and rear
Distinctive red brake calipers
Wider tyres
Red stitch seating and steering wheel adds to sporty appearance
WRX logos on front seats
Pricing maintained at MY08 levels – simple choice between hatch or sedan, as prices identical

New Impreza WRX model specifications at a glance:

Safety

ABS anti-lock brakes with four-wheel discs and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Brake Assist
Child seat anchor points
Curtain airbags – full length
Dual front airbags
Dual side airbags
Four wheel disc brakes (ventilated front, solid rear)
Front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Double pretensioners on driver’s seatbelt
Front adjustable seatbelt anchorage
Hill Start Assist
Rear door child lock
Seatbelt indicator lights – front seats
Shock absorbing brake and clutch pedals
Side intrusion bars
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Three-point A/ELR rear centre seatbelt
Vehicle Dynamics Control (electronic stability control system)

Interior

AM/FM radio, six-stack in-dash CD, MP3/WMA compatible, 10 speakers
AUX jack
Bottle holders in each door + two cup holders in centre console
Boot/cargo area light
Cargo hooks (hatch only)
Cargo security blind (hatch)
Central locking - remote
Climate control air conditioning
Cruise control – steering wheel buttons
Driver’s footrest
Height and reach adjustable steering column
Height adjustable driver’s seat
Immobiliser security system
Leather trim steering wheel with red stitching and audio controls; leather gearshift
Map lights (2)
Power steering, mirrors and windows
Rear illumination electroluminescent instrument display
Remote fuel lid release – tethered fuel cap
Seatback pocket (passenger side)
Sports bucket front seats with red stitching and WRX logo
Two remote central locking keys
Vanity mirror
60/40 split/fold rear seat
12V/120W power jacks