Subaru South Africa has confirmed to TopAuto that the 2022 Subaru WRX will be launched in the country in “May/June 2022”.
The rally-bred sedan features a 2.4-litre boxer engine, a new performance transmission, a driver-focused cabin, and a host of standard and optional equipment.
A top-of-the-line GT trim is also new with this fifth-generation WRX, and is set apart from the standard models by additional drive modes, electronically-controlled dampers, and a unique design.
What to expect
The South African details for the new Subaru WRX have not been revealed yet, and we looked at the car’s specifications in the United States to get a better picture of what we can expect when it arrives.
Powering the 2022 WRX in this market is a 2.4-litre, turbo-petrol, boxer engine that produces 202kW at 5,600rpm and 350Nm between 2,000-5,200rpm.
Each WRX delivers power to the ground through all four wheels via a symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, while two gearboxes are available to choose from.
The first is a six-speed manual transmission with optimised gear ratios – while the second is an automatic “Subaru Performance” transmission that offers 30% faster upshifts and 50% faster downshifts between the second and third gears.
It also allows an eight-speed “manual” mode through steering-mounted paddles.
“The automatic transmission incorporates adaptive shift control that can quickly respond to perform rev-matching downshifts under braking, maintain the ideal ratio through corners, and respond faster on corner exit,” said Subaru.
Furthermore, the 2022 WRX’s more rigid frame and longer suspension stroke increase stability and grip, while the rear stabilizer bar is now mounted directly to the body instead of the subframe to decrease body roll when compared to the outgoing generation.
Depending on the specification, either 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels will then be fitted.
Unfortunately, no official acceleration, top speed, or lap time figures for the 2022 Subaru WRX have been released.
Inside, the 2022 WRX’s driver-focused cabin incorporates a black interior with red stitching and carbon fibre-pattern finishes, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and a “tablet-style” 11.6-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The automatic models get the EyeSight Driver Assist system, too, which brings an electric brake booster, lane departure prevention, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, automatic emergency steering, and a pre-collision braking system as standard.
WRX Wagon
Before the end of our conversation, Subaru South Africa added it is also “considering introducing a WRX wagon that has the same engine and power as the WRX” to the local market.
While we do not have official feedback, we can speculate that the company is trying to gauge the local demand for these variants.
On a personal note: I am pleading to those interested individuals to make their voices heard. Nothing beats a sporty wagon.
The local car market has been deprived of these amazing all-rounders in recent times and the introduction of a new Subaru performance wagon might just be the car that South Africans need to bring back the demand.
2022 Subaru WRX
Keyword: 2022 Subaru WRX confirmed for South Africa – What to expect