New 2022 Subaru WRX rumbles into Mzansi — we have pricing

Subaru announced on Tuesday that its all-new WRX is now available in SA dealerships. 

The second stand-alone WRX to be launched since this iconic model first distanced itself from the Impreza nameplate back in 2014, this six-starred halo offering hits the asphalt with a newly developed 2.4l four-cylinder boxer engine churning out 202kW at 5,600rpm: a 5kW increase over that of the 2.0l lump that was fitted to its predecessor. Max torque however remains unchanged at a healthy 350Nm available between 2,000 and 5,200rpm.

This is transferred to all four wheels — cue the firm's legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system — via your choice of Continuously Variable Transmission (with eight preset “steps” that mimic conventional ratios when driven in manual mode) or a more traditional six-speed manual gearbox that will undoubtably be the choice of old-school purists. 

Though Subaru has supplied no performance figures for the 2022 WRX — so weird — the old model was capable of nailing the 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 6.3 seconds while top speed was pegged at 240km/h. So we can expect much the same or even better with this new one. Fuel economy — if you care — across the combined cycle comes in at 9.9l/100km for the manual and 8.5l/100km for the CVT. In my opinion this seems highly optimistic considering that when I last tested a WRX the best I could manage was 14.8l/100km. 

For improved handling the new WRX is built atop the company's Subaru Global Platform that offers increased front lateral (+14%) and torsional rigidity (+28%). According to Subaru the car's grip levels have been enhanced from an increase in the rigidity of the suspension mounting points while a longer suspension stroke improves ride quality on poor surfaces.

Inside the cabin you'll find a plethora of standard niceties including an 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system that syncs with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and brushed aluminium pedals. Both the front and rear seats benefit from three-way heating and are upholstered in sporty soft-touch Ultrasuede, which is comfortable and resilient.

Opt for the CVT-equipped flagship — the WRX tS ES — and you'll score additional features such as Subaru's excellent EyeSight Driver-Assist system as well as adaptive suspension and the firm's Si-Drive Performance Management system that allows drivers to switch between one of five modes: Comfort, Normal, Individual (I), Sport (S) and Sport+ (S+). 

In terms of pricing the new 2022 Subaru WRX manual comes in at R759,000 while the range-topping WRX tS ES CVT will set you back R859,000. Both come standard with a three-year/75,000km maintenance plan plus a full five-year/150,000km warranty.