The new Subaru WRX has arrived

For all the Subaru WRX fans that have been waiting for the new one to come out ever since they first saw it at the New York Motor show this year, here’s the good news. A brand new generation of the Subaru WRX landed at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. Sadly, it shares little resemblance to the striking concept version.

The appeal of the WRX has always been its performance and in this department the new car should shine. Subaru has bid adieu to the turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, and has replaced it with a new 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with direct fuel injection and an active valve system.

You’d think they would extract some more power too but the WRX delivers only 268bhp when compared to the 265 of the outgoing model. The engine comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission which puts a smile on all the fans. But those looking for an automatic, will have to settle for Subaru’s new Sport Lineartronic CVT, which offers six- and eight-speed pseudo manual modes using a set of paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel.

The WRX also gets a new torque-vectoring system that supplements the standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. The chassis is also stiffer and the brakes and suspension further refined for performance driving.

Inside, the 2015 WRX features more room, improved materials and a wide array of new convenience features like two LCD display screens, Bluetooth; and steering-wheel audio and phone controls.

Subaru has made the WRX better than before but will it connect with the fans is what remains to be seen.