A PlayStation hero in real life!
Subaru Impreza WRX STi Limited (2011)
by Juan G. Robbin
Simply mention
the initials WRX STi to a Gen X’er and they produce a smile. Knowing
full well they have it as one of their favorite cars in Grand
Tourismo! Here is a car that is equally famous on the street as
it is in a video game.
There have been
several iterations of the WRX STi, the latest one introduced in 2010
as a sports sedan. Subarus has opted to keep the existing wagon
design as well and for the 1st time the WRX STi is now
available in both versions. My take is that most buyers will opt for
the sedan vs. the wagon even though the wagon is marginally lighter
and offers more cargo room. (Listen up car collectors).
The new, 2011
WRX STi is an all-around delight to the senses. On the outside, we
are greeted with bulging fender flares, air intakes, side vents,
spoilers and all kinds of aerodynamics accoutrements that simply
make the WRX STi an incredibly cool car to look at. There are the
18” BBS wheels and Brembo brakes staring back at you, letting you
now that this car means business. At the rear, you are greeted with
an elegant lower valance as well as quad exhausts a-la M3,
offering a sweet engine sound when you feel like being a bit
devilish with your right foot.
On the inside
you instantly notice the two-tone racing inspired sports seats as
well as the leather wrapped shifter and thick rimmed steering wheel.
Instrument cluster is thoroughly complete, with all of the required
instruments in addition to a shift light as well as large RPM and
spedo gauges. Rear seat is typical of a sports sedan, nice for two,
tight for three. Trunk is surprisingly large, although the smallish
opening can be a challenge for larger boxes.
Of course,
having this car for a week one can’t help but to wonder, what type
of driving do I do? I opted for a mix of normal urban driving as
well as 40-50 mile highway stints. I was impressed at how versatile
the WRX STi is. At one moment I was being admired and taunted for a
stop light race by a 20-something (Well not really me, he was
looking at the car) and the other, driving up to a swanky SoBe
hotel’s valet. In both instances the WRX STi feels right at home.
So how does it
drive? Well, let’s see, its fast, and it corners and stops like
nothing costing south of a 100G’s. The turbocharged 2.5 liter,
horizontally opposed 4 cylinder, puts out 305 HP and generates more
smiles per RPM than most other engines combined. The unique burbling
sound during sedate driving becomes a banshee’s wail when pushed to
the limit. Stomp on the binders and the WRX STi feels as if someone
threw an anchor out the back. What about the suspension? Let’s just
say that Subaru is world famous for its symmetrical all-wheel drive
and successfully dialing in technology from lessons learned during
years of rally driving. They’ve done a superb job of putting this
DNA into the newest WRX STi.
That reminds
me, I have a date with Grand Turismo tonight. I’ll be the one
driving the Subaru WRX STi.
The Essentials:
MSRP:
$37,345.00 MSRP (As tested): $39,870.00
Fuel Economy: (Observed): 19 MPG
Engine: Horizontally Opposed 4 cylinder, 2.5L, Turbocharged, 305 HP
Popular Options: GPS Navigation
visit:
www.subaru.com
