ABDC: Subaru WRX STI

In the lead up to Australia’s Best Driver’s Car (ABDC) there’s no doubt the Subaru WRX STI was one of the favourites; turbocharging, all-wheel drive and the Japanese brand’s imperious rallying pedigree ensured that. But while this fourth generation STI retains the essential ingredients that have made the badge famous, there’s also been an attempt to mature the car’s appeal and behaviour. A $10,000 price cut doesn’t hurt either

So when the rain started tumbling in Tassie, the commonly held theory was the Subaru WRX STI would swim to the fore.

An all-wheel drive system complete with a driver-adjustable limited-slip centre differential, torque vectoring of the front wheels, Brembo brakes and a turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine with three-mode throttle mapping, all spoke in its favour.

That and the fact this fourth generation STI had been hyped as retaining its driving cred while adding a new level of maturity, so that life would be more comfortable and quiet between the exhilarating bits. You could even delete the massive rear wing, as well as a massive $10,000 from its predecessors $59,990 price tag.

But as the front-wheel drive Ford Fiesta ST splashed by closely followed by the rear-wheel drive Toyota 86 GTS, tipping into the next series of sodden twisties travelling kilometres an hour faster than I would dare to go in the STI, reality was proving to be something entirely different to theory.

Front-end grip, or the lack of it, was the unexpected issue for the STI.

Commit to a corner at what seemed to be a reasonable speed and the front Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres would wash out, chattering well wide of the chosen line.

Lift off, adjust and go again.

Adjusting the centre diff didn’t seem to help much in these challenging conditions, nor winding on or off throttle sharpness. Those tail-lights just disappeared into the murk.

It was a frustrating, not involving, experience, exacerbated by hydraulic-assist steering tuned to combine too much weight with too much speed, It was easy to over-commit to a corner and then waste time readjusting.

Hit a bump or rut mid-corner and rack rattle would shake the steering column. There’s feel and then there’s too much feel…

And those bumps were also proving a literal pain in the arse as the STI’s overly stiff suspension set-up failed to cope, especially at low speed. And noisy? Yes, well if this comfortable maturity then only ageing punk rockers need apply.

Then there was the need to rev the EJ25 2.5-litre engine hard to extract its best response. And the need to keep crunching around through the six-speed manual gearbox to keep it above 3000rpm to extract any response at all.

In isolation on the right road the STI is a mighty good drive; but in these extreme conditions arrayed against such a strong pack of talented rivals its shortcomings were exposed.

And it was reflected in the scoring provided by the judges. The overall average of 3.23 out of a possible five points, was equal with the much maligned Lexus RC F and only ahead of the unfortunate Ford Falcon XR8, which failed to complete the course.

The Subaru only managed to clamber out of the bottom three in one category; ergonomics, which was recognition of its heavily bolstered seat and overall driving position. That fizzing but frustrating engine ranked dead last. Only the RC F’s ride and handling were rated worse.

Kent Youlden summed it up in his notes after stepping from the STI. Yes, Kent is Luke’s dad, but all you kiddies should also be aware he is a damned fine driver in his own right, as well as top flight automotive engineer. In other words, his opinion is worth listening to.

“Harsh ride and quite skittish,” he noted.

“Poor low-end engine response. Nervous steering – feels like it has a worn rack. Poor steering on-centre feel. Doesn't inspire you to have a go! Nervous near the limit of adhesion. Heavy understeer in tight corners and then poor throttle response.”

And that folks, just about sums that up.

Subaru WRX STI price and specifications:
Price: $49,990
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol
Output: 221kW/407Nm
Transmission: six-speed manual
Fuel: 10.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 242g CO2/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five stars (ANCAP)

ABDC Scorecard