Tag Archives: Motortrend.com

Comparison: BMW M235i vs. Mercedes CLA45 AMG vs. Subaru WRX STI

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In this latest 2015 STI review, the STI is pitted against European metal:  the 2015 BMW M235i and the 2015 Mercedes CLA45 AMG.  The STI fares very well, considering it was out-powered and that these cars were MUCH more expensive than it.

Note that the base price for a 2015 STI Launch Edition is $38,190.  Non-Launch-Editions will not be as much (for those people thinking that $38K is a lot…it is, but doesn’t apply to the rest of the line-up).

It was a pleasant surprise to see that the STI outran the other two on the road course (Streets of Willow).  Within the articles comments section, several people proclaim that the win margin was slim.  That may be, but IMO, the other cars should’ve been very much ahead in that contest, but they weren’t…BMW and Mercedes should be embarrassed.  Now, we all know that the M235i isn’t really an M2, but the M235i still had the STI outright beaten in sheer HP/torque and apparently it handles like a dream, too.

This was a good read, especially since I hate Jonny Lieberman.  Thank goodness Jonny tested and someone else wrote the article (Nate Martinez).

Now, if they only post some video footage of the testing…

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1403_bmw_m235i_mercedes_cla45_amg_subaru_wrx_sti_comparison/viewall.html

2014 Focus ST vs 2015 WRX – First Head-to-Head Review!

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Now, on Motor Trend’s FB page and the article’s comment section, several people stated that they thought this comparison was flawed because of the platform difference. Well, I don’t remember anyone saying anything similar last year when the cars were compared…seriously. As well, there isn’t much the WRX is going to compare to, since there aren’t many AWD cars in it’s category (cars that are at or under $30K that have 270 HP that are AWD)…but it’s been like that for years. Someone also mentioned that it should be compared to the Evo…no, the STI is the better Subaru for that.

This WRX may not be as quick as the last generation WRX in the quarter-mile, but I’ve said this several times now: it’s because of the change of gearbox (it now has a 6-speed instead of the GR/GV 5-speed manual). It has a good bit of thrust in the quarter-mile, as well…that trap speed more accurately reflects the car’s HP, IMO. It also sounds better than I thought it would, since it has equal length headers now…that’s the first video I’ve seen of a manual-equipped WRX.

The overall comparison shows that the WRX has been improved upon and is quick (pulling a peak of .96g on the skidpad and 25.3 sec in the figure 8). It bested the Focus ST in every contest of performance and also got decent enough comments in the road portion of the comparison. I’ve the feeling that this car may be getting a lot of such reviews.

Here’s the video that’s within the article. If you get bored, just skip everything and go to the last 2 minutes…you’ll love it!

http://wot.motortrend.com/1401_2015_subaru_wrx_goes_head_2head_with_ford_focus_st.html

WRX/STI Killer? Your Thoughts?

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For those of you that are pissed that Subaru quit producing a hatch WRX, here’s something to mull over…a 290HP VW Golf R.

More @ http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/news/volkswagen-golf-r-brings-290-hp-to-the-us?src=soc_fcbks

Post by Road & Track Magazine.

 

EDIT: Yeah, this news is making the rounds, as here’s another one from Motor Trend:

http://oak.ctx.ly/r/lxi0

Post by Motor Trend Magazine.

Is the 2015 Subaru WRX Refreshing or Revolting?

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Motor Trend Magazine
Is the 2015 #Subaru WRX Refreshing or Revolting? http://ow.ly/s6iyG

Post by Motor Trend Magazine.

2015 Subaru WRX Reviews

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http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1403_2015_subaru_wrx_review/

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2015-subaru-wrx-sedan-first-drive-review?src=spr_GOOGLE_PLUS_PAGE&spr_id=1458_35464575

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1312_2015_subaru_wrx_first_test/

All of the reviews are pretty good, considering that these are still pre-production cars.  At least one magazine said that a full review would be done relatively soon, so we should have an in-depth review to read, “relatively soon.”

At least one mag also tested the car in the 0-60 and quarter mile:

In straight-line testing, our 3330-pound tester, a top-of-the-line Limited with the six-speed manual, proved slower than the 2013 WRX Special Edition (4.7 seconds, 13.5 seconds at 100.0 mph) and the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR (5.1 seconds, 13.8 seconds at 100.0 mph), with 0 to 60 mph coming in 5.5 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.0 seconds at 98.1 mph. Quick, for sure, and quicker than the 3193-pound 252-horsepower Ford Focus ST (5.9 seconds, 14.6 seconds at 95.9 mph), but well off the times of the 3195-pound WRX SE and the 3631-pound Evo MR. What’s with the weight gain? Chalk it up to additional safety structures and new equipment such as a power moonroof and harman/kardon audio. The silver lining: road test editor Scott Mortara noted that a better launch could easily drop the times a couple tenths, and in our handling and braking tests, the WRX flat-out exceled. Max lateral acceleration registered at 0.96 g, a level of adhesion that matches the Evo MR and easily outgrips the WRX SE (0.92). Figure eight? A speedy run of 25.3 seconds – 0.2 second behind the Evo but 0.3 ahead of the SE.

There’s only a 60-lb weight gain between the old and new WRX…that does not account for the huge discrepancy in the 0-60 and quarter mile, though.  The 2015 will never be as fast as that 2013 WRX SE they tested, mainly because the 2013 was equipped with a 5-sp manual, while all 2015s will be equipped with either a CVT or a 6-sp manual.  Yes, that means the 2015 now has an extra shift point, just as the GR/GV STIs did…remember everyone stating that the WRX was quicker like it was some magic sauce that Subaru had applied to their go-fast concoction?  Well, the reason why it was faster was because the STI has closer-ratio gears…a driver has to shift the STI before the end of the 0-60 and quarter mile, which means it’s going to finish both events slower than the 2013 WRX.

Also, look at the other data…the max lateral acceleration and figure eight results…ahead of the 2013 SE  in both cases and ahead of the Evo in one.  That’s not bad at all.