Powered by the new 2.0-liter Horizontally-Opposed direct injection turbo “DIT” engine, the Subaru WRX Impreza has been restyled to look different from the current Impreza and more in line with the concept displayed at the NY Motor Show. Subaru says the body and chassis have been stiffened. The WRX loses the five speed gearbox in favour of a wider spaced six speed box. The 2.0 L engine replaces the outgoing 2.5L mill and makes 268 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque from 2,000 to 5,200 rpm.
Optionl is a CVT transmission Subaru calls the Sport Lineartronic. While normally functioning as a six speed unit, when engaging the “Sport# (S#) mode” with “SI-DRIVE” it functions as a eight speed unit. Autoblog reports that the CVT is slower and also less fuel efficient than the manual transmission, we wonder why.
