WRX sedan struts its stuff at Sydney show

Subaru will be launching the sedan version of its Impreza WRX in December. As a foretaste, the company unveiled the new variant at the Australian International Motor Show today. The new four-door pride of place on the Subaru stand.

With 195kW of power at 6000 rpm and 343 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm delivered via a larger, increased-boost turbo as well as a larger intercooler and reduced-flow exhaust system, the new Rex sedan is up 26kW (15.4 per cent) and 23Nm (7.2 per cent) over the previous model, yet offers improved fuel consumption, dropping from an average 10.7L/100km to 10.4L/100km. It's cleaner too, says Subaru, the CO2 reading lowered from 252g/km to 247g/km.

The WRX transmission remains a five-speed manual, although this has been improved too; it's tougher and offers better shift feel, the maker says.

There's also tauter suspension with increased spring and damper rates, as well as thicker stabilizer bars, and there are bold red brake calipers to match new, red-stitched leather upholstery. The WRX now has a new mesh grille, and uses wider tyres too.

Sunroof and satellite navigation are included in the options list and Subaru has pegged pricing at MY08 levels, with both hatch and sedan priced identically.

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