http://www.roadandtrack.com/features/web-originals/7-lemons-we-love
Some of the models listed are serious power-hitters. The article focuses on certain years where a selected model of car has technology issues that soured the ownership experience. The #2 car listed is the 2001-2003 Subaru WRX, by the way!
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-reviews/car-comparison-tests/2015-subaru-wrx-vs-sti
The article doesn’t really allude to much more than what’s depicted on the dyno charts.
The STI has the higher peak numbers, but the WRX pretty much overshadows the STI on the charts. It makes power much quicker than the STI (due to it’s twin scroll turbocharger and equal length headers/manifolds, more than likely). This tells me that the WRX will be easier to drive day-to-day. The dyno charts actually look a bit disturbing, as the WRX surely lords it over the STI on those charts.
And what’s ridiculous are the peak torque measurements for the WRX: It’s making more torque than the STI and at a lower RPM: 245 lb-ft @ 3850 rpm vs 243 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm. Is the STI experiencing parasitic drain due to it’s diffs? It had a 32 lb-ft advantage per the manufacturer’s crank measurement…that just disappeared.
And then you see the 5-60 MPH (rolling start) test results for both: WRX- 7.0, STI – 7.1. That’s the more telling measurement. It shows that the power-to-weight ratio isn’t really all that good, when compared to other cars in their price ranges.
The STI does the 0-60 in 4.8 seconds, while the WRX lays down a 5.2 result. For the quarter-mile, the STI runs a 13.3 @ 102 MPH; the WRX runs a 13.7 @ 99.5. And what’s really funny is the top speed for both: both are electronically limited, with the STI topping out at 155 and the WRX topping out at 174 (I’m pretty positive that’s a typo). EDIT: R&T stated the following — “That line, in fact, was supposed to be cut from the final draft entirely. Editing snafu. We’re putting in a strikethrough and adding a notation. Thanks for pointing this out, guys.”
The FB post is here:
A teaser article is here and pertains to de-winging an STI (this is not new news…there are many de-wing threads on STI and WRX forums on the interwebz).
There’s a story behind the below article and I’ve asked Road & Track to clarify (on their FB page).
Apparently, a rear wing on a 2015 Subaru STI must’ve broken off, because Subaru replaced it with a WRX trunk lid (that’s an assumption of mine).
And, of course, that spurred some pretty ridiculous comments on their FB page. People call the rear spoiler ‘gaudy’, or ‘rice’. The wing is actually functional, for one. As well, every USDM STI sedan ever made has a rear spoiler. A spoiler-less option has never existed (ie, you can’t request that the dealer remove it).
IMO, an STI isn’t really an STI without a spoiler (unless it is a hatch). And, as mentioned in the FB comments, an STI without a wing is like Batman without a utility belt.
This one doesn’t contain a video, but has lots of pictures, as well as text dialogue. It’s pretty much a blow-by-blow of the Mazda Speedway drive (Laguna Seca).
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-reviews/first-drives/2015-subaru-wrx-sti
The above link doesn’t contain video footage either, but shows absolute praise of the new STI.
R & T’s Facebook post of their review is here:
Item of note: the DSG model of the 2015 Golf R will supposedly do a sub 5-sec 0-60…the 6-sp manual will be in the low 5s (5.3s or so).
As well, apparently, this car won’t ship until very late this year or early next year, due to the fact that this car is being built exclusively in Germany (the GTI is built in Mexico, and ships to the US quicker).
R&T also states that the 3-door version may actually be produced for the US. That’s not particularly a big deal for me (I’m not really interested in a VW at this point in time), but some people are wanting that model.
The five best ski cars of 2013 – Road & Track
You should read the article. I have no idea who compiled the list, but the listing is rather odd. There’s only one car that might actually be capable of tackling snow-covered roads without having snow tires fitted (the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8). I’m rather surprised that a Subaru didn’t make that list (in fact, no AWD car did, besides that $$$ Benz).
What’s funny is the comments on R&T’s Facebook page. Most people are saying that AWD cars are the only cars capable of driving in the snow. That’s not true. I drove a 1987 Dodge Colt for 3 years while living in Colorado, on all-seasons. That car was FWD. I had no problems driving in mountains or in bad blizzards while traveling to Wyoming from Colorado Springs. I’m not talking about a light dusting of snow, either. I’m talking about 1+ feet of snow, and in some cases, it accumulating faster than the plows can catch up (and some places wouldn’t be plowed until the snowfall was over). Now, a FWD car with snows still won’t drive like an AWD car, but it is far more capable than most people think. Also, I tend to see far more AWD/4WD vehicles in ditches in the winter than FWD cars…just sayin’.
You can read the article @ http://www.roadandtrack.com/features/web-originals/the-best-ski-cars-of-2013?src=spr_FBPAGE&spr_id=1459_32800568
The history of the Subaru Impreza WRX – Road & Track
The response to Subaru’s WRX concept is immense and immediate: damn, that’s a good-looking ride. Wait, are we sure it’s a Subaru? Yes? Well, the model they actually build probably won’t look anything like it.
…
As far as the Subaru faithful are concerned, the new WRX could look like a rutabaga with a hood-scoop, just as long as the driving experience remains faithful to its turbocharged heritage. Here’s a brief history of what makes the WRX so great.
Read more @ http://www.roadandtrack.com/features/web-originals/history-subaru-impreza-wrx
Mod comments:
I like this article (published by R&T in April 2013, as it attempts to track the history of the WRX (and even has an STI listed – the 22B).