Subaru Impreza Wrx STI 2001 test drive - 2003 sedan

Strokes to the portrait

The authors of the modernization of Subaru Impreza WRX know how to make a few strokes more attractive about the help of several strokes.
As you know, Japanese cars are always at the peak of technology and fashion. It's good. However, the inevitable consequence of this pleasant quality is rapid moral aging. This is bad. A classic example of such a situation can be Subaru Impreza - a new generation of this almost cult model appeared a couple of years ago somewhat extravagant, which was almost everywhere, with the exception of his love of non -traditional decisions of England, was found cool. It is not surprising that this year a new version of Impreza appeared. We happened to get acquainted with one of the top versions - Subaru Impreza WRX.
A NEW LOOK. Subaru Impreza WRX has undergone serious facies. The front part of the car underwent changes that improved the appearance and made it more like a rally car of the Subaru factory team. The main thing is that they changed optics. The former looked, to put it mildly, controversial: many fans of the brand believed that even such a machine as Subaru Impreza WRX, huge round headlights of the block fara give too sad.
With new block phases of complex shape, the front part looks more predatory and aggressive-in this case it is more than appropriate. Fighting headlights fit very well into the bumper with a huge air intake. They became smaller in size, but at the same time shine just as brightly. Seventeen -inch aluminum discs of new design look much elegant.
Like many other sports models, the modification of Impreza with a body station wagon looks even better than a sedan. The spoiler above the glass of the rear door of the trunk not only significantly improved aerodynamics, but also gave a more rapid look. And, of course, the main element of the exterior and the peculiarity of the WRX version is a huge air intake on the aluminum hood.
  Momo mine! The salon did not undergo serious changes - ergonomics and previously at the highest level. All controls and buttons are located logically and conveniently. Of the subjective shortcomings - the diameter of the steering wheel of the famous sports company MOMO is a little more than I would like to have on Impreza with the WRX index. By the way, the same steering wheel is installed on a large universal Subaru outback, but there it looks much more appropriate. But the steering wheel does not cover large and easily readable devices that stand out thanks to aluminum rims and bright orange shooters.
Among other few shortcomings of interior decoration are high -quality, but not very expensive plastic. In principle, it is not necessary for a sports model, however, customers of cars of this category are already spoiled by the highest quality of the finish, for example, on the Audi S4.
The car is already very expensive, so the equipment is almost all possible options-a hatch and a musical system with a CD-reiver-it does not increase it too much. Then the eyes involuntarily look for the keys of the climate control. However, climate management is implemented here using old -fashioned handles.
There are quite enough places in the cabin so that the driver and front passenger do not collide with elbows. Anatomical chairs have a sufficient number of adjustments to comfortably get driving, and adjusting the seat in height will allow a high driver to provide a comfortable gap between the head and roof. Side support is unobtrusive, but tightly fixes the body. The only inconvenience may arise among large people - the seat is somewhat narrow in the shoulders. Therefore, a winter jacket can become a problem of wheel for those who are more than 52nd.
If you move the seat back, under the driver more than 180 cm tall, the legs for the legs of the rear passengers are not too many. However, for a sports car, this drawback is not very significant. Most likely, the owner of the Impreza WRX will more often use the trunk, the volume of which can be increased by folding the backs of the second row of seats.
Citizen. On the go, literally from the first meters, the car showed fantastic smoothness and impeccable suspension. The suspension quickly works out the irregularities of the road and literally swallows joints in the asphalt. Of course, the sensations are not the same on the big limousine, but for the sports model and the requirements are different. As always at the height of the gearbox. The handle of the lever is covered with pleasant skin, the moves are quite short, and small efforts are combined with the clarity of turning on: there is never a feeling that it has not overpowed the transmission.
The brakes were very pleased: 11-inch brake discs with bunk calipers were installed in front, and ordinary 10-inch wheels are installed in the back. The pedal has a short move and at the same time not in Japanese tough, which allows you to dose the effort very accurately. General impression: brakes on this machine with a margin.
But here we break out from the narrow and clogged with a dense traffic stream of streets onto the expanse of the highway and open, as they say, with all the money. Here we suffered some disappointment. At first it seemed that just Turboyam was stretched, about-and there would be a tangible pickup. But instead of picking up, the car simply begins to accelerate a little more intensively. The final time of overclocking is quite small, but familiar to sports subaru the cheeks behind the back of the seat somehow lacks.
The course in the sun. At high speed, the machine demonstrates enviable terminal stability. However, on the rearrangements of the rolls a little more than I would like to feel in a sports car. Instead of an acute reaction to the operation of the steering wheel, the car bends first and only then begins to turn. There is a logical explanation for this - in comparison with the previous generation, the car became higher by 60 mm. Yes, and the steering wheel turned out to be less informative, despite the progressive operation of the hydraulic wrap. The engineers clearly decided to make the machine more comfortable, more adapted to everyday use, less nervous and extreme. Obviously, the market requires. This really made the car a more universal and suitable wider circle of buyers. But now on Impreza already less often I want to anneal and go in turning in a controlled skid.
It is worth regretting that we tested the car in dry weather and we did not have the opportunity to appreciate all the charms of the all -wheel drive Subaru. But he is considered one of the best in the world.
THERE IS NO LIMIT TO PERFECTION. The noted shortcomings are related to the desire to make the car more universal. This problem is successful: Impreza WRX is a fairly fast and very comfortable model for this class, suitable for this time of year and any weather. At the wheel, you can feel equally confident and on a slippery winding snowy road, and on a dry high -speed highway. And in a dense city stream, this car will enable an experienced driver to make any maneuvers. However, those who have reached the level of professional athletes should still pay attention to the more dynamic version of the STI.
Do not forget that Subaru Impreza WRX is always a huge field for self -realization in terms of car tuning. Having spent a fair amount of money, a real supercar can be built on the basis of Impreza. However, the serial WRX in our market remains the most powerful car in its price category. And if you take into account that Subaru prices are nominated in dollars, this model can be considered an optimal purchase if you need a real sports car for every day.
Text Maxim Travin, photo Alexey Ilyin
 
Model/Modification Subaru Impreza WRX
Manufacturer/country Fuji Heavy Industries/Japan
ENGINE
Type/number/location of gasoline cylinders with turbocharged/4/horizontal opposite
Working volume (cubic meter) 1994
Power (kW (L.S.) at about./Min.) 165 (225) at 5600
Moment (nm at about./Min.) 300 at 4000
TRANSMISSION
The drive is complete
Mechanical gearbox 5-speed
Brakes, safety
Front/rear ventilated disk/ventilated disk
Assisting electronic systems ABS, PBS
Front and side airbags on the front seats
Dimensions/mass
Length/width/height (mm) 4415/1695/1490
Wheel base/clearance (mm) 2525/150
Tires 205/50 R16
The mass is equipped/complete (kg) 1430/1860
The volume of the fuel tank (L) 60
Maximum speed (km/h) 230
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) 5.9
Fuel consumption (city/highway, l/100 km) 12.7/7.1
Price in Moscow $ 36 950

 
 
 

A source: "Autopilot"