Subaru WRX STI Premium

Subaru's WRX has been around for quite some time now, and it remains the vehicle of choice for many rally teams the world over, and for those wanting a real performance edge.
Earlier models went like the clappers but were comparatively quite crude, with a very harsh ride.
The latest top spec WRX STI Premium has all the grunt you could ever want and loads of creature comforts as well, and the bonus, a slightly improved ride comfort compared to previous models.
My back appreciated this minor development. The suspension is still quite firm but now not  rock hard. However on broken surfaces the STI's composure is not so good. Smooth tarmac is its forte.
Despite its hairy chested persona, the STI's 2.5 litre flat four cylinder "boxer "turbo charged engine is very civilised. There's no loud woosh/bang from the turbo wastegate as you change gear, that you often hear on WRXs fitted with aftermarket turbo kits.

The engine in the latest STi  is a thing of beauty..a masterpiece of performance and plumbing. Lift the bonnet(held up ably with a gas strut) and the engine is revealed in all its complicated technical glory. No hiding beneath plastic shrouds, like most of today's cars. The engine pumps out  a very useful 221 KW and 407nm.  There's not a lot of that torque available low in the rev range however and you'll need decent revs to get underway quickly. Peak torque kicks in above 4,000rpm. It's redlined at around 6,700 rpm and the speedo dial has a maximum indicated speed of 280 kilometres an hour.
On the open road at 100 kilometres an hour, in top gear of the manual box, (sixth) the engine is spinning at just 2,000 rpm, making for relaxed and economical cruising.
During my week with the car it averaged 10.8 litres per hundred k's, not too shabby considering the STi will rocket to 100 in under five seconds.
You have to be on the ball with gear changes however, the free revving engine will hit the limiter each time you swap cogs unless you are paying attention.
At idle there is no sign of lumpiness.. just a smooth tickover...quite a feat considering its power and performance.
There is some annoying exhaust harmonic/resonance and booming in the cabin at times which you'd probably get used to..it comes and goes depending on which gear you're in and engine load.

The steering, adjustable for reach and rake, is quite heavy. It still points to where you want to go, but it takes some effort to do it. The feel does get lighter with increased speed.
 Plunging into tight corners is a real treat in the STi.. its all wheel drive grip is exceptional. There is so much power on tap you need only use a couple of the lower gears to get you through.

The rear wing on the STi has grown substantially over previous models, and it now stands almost as high as the roof line.. At least it doesn't cut across your rearward field of vision as much as before, when it appeared smack in the middle of the rear view mirror.
The large boot mounted aerodynamic aid has an unforseen bonus.
It stands out so much you will never lose the car in the supermarket car park. It can also double, (as one ill informed wag told me,) as a towel rail. Very funny.
So rearward visibility is quite good, even though the STi  always looks like it's ready to take off.

Inside, the bright red highlighted instruments look good. There are switches that change the differential settings for even more grip and performance.
The heated front seats are comfortable if a little firm, but do a good job of holding you in place through bends.

The headlights have bi-xenons for low beam but high beam gets regular halogen lamps.. not too effective. They should be the other way around.
The nine speaker audio system is marvellous, with crisp and clear sound ...no complaints there.
The STI Premium comes with a sunroof,auto climate control and other niceties such as auto lights and wipers and electrically adjustable driver's seat.
The fake carbon fibre dashboard treatment doesn't look out of place and there's even an analogue clock on the dash top cowling.
Adjustments to find all the car settings, such as fuel consumption, range and suspension  are quite complicated. It took a good 20 minutes of fiddling about and studying the handbook to work it all out. It's definitely not intuitive.
The screen for the reversing camera is quite small.

 

There's reasonable room in the cabin and the rear windows retract fully into the doors, but only the driver's glass is auto up/down. Keyless entry and start, another welcome feature.
The Subaru WRX STi remains one of the most sought after performance saloons on the planet and with good reason. It delivers all that it promises.
The STI WRX Premium sells for 55K, a real bargain.
Peter Sellen.