The Subaru WRX Still Holds Its Rally Heritage
The Subaru WRX has faced criticism from enthusiasts who believe it has become too soft and less like a true performance car, especially with the discontinuation of the STI model. However, the Team O’Neil Rally School in New Hampshire put the newest version of the WRX to the test to see if it still lives up to its rally heritage.
Handling and Performance
The standard all-wheel drive system of the WRX proved to be just as capable as expected, with instructor Wyatt Knox describing it as “pretty darn perfect.” The car’s 272-horsepower engine also impressed Knox, who found it to be faster than he had anticipated. The WRX’s on-gravel handling is attributed to Subaru’s purely mechanical power distribution, which is well-tuned right out of the box.
Jumping Ability
While it may not be a common occurrence for WRX owners to get their car airborne, Knox noted that the WRX jumps “really well.” The car flies through the air level, demonstrating that it maintains stability during flight and lands smoothly. This characteristic is essential for a rally car, showcasing the WRX’s capabilities beyond just its on-road performance.
Performance Comparison
During timed stage course testing, the WRX outperformed all other vehicles on the summer leaderboard at Team O’Neil. It posted a time that was two seconds faster than the next quickest vehicle, a CanAm Maverick side-by-side. This result solidifies the WRX as the top performer among street-legal rally cars at the rally school, despite the absence of the more powerful STI model.
Future Challenges
Despite the WRX’s dominance at Team O’Neil, there are still questions about its standing in the rally car market, especially as new competitors enter the scene. The upcoming testing of the GR Corolla in similar conditions will provide further insight into how the WRX compares to other street-legal rally cars.
Introduction:
The Subaru WRX has long been hailed as a iconic rally car, known for its performance capabilities and all-wheel drive system. However, recent criticism has claimed that the WRX has lost its edge, feeling more like a normal sedan with a turbo than a true performance machine. As the STI model has been discontinued, doubts have been raised about whether the WRX can still hold its own on a rally stage. In a video from the Team O’Neil Rally School, the latest version of the WRX was put to the test to see if it still embodies its rally heritage. The results showcase the WRX’s impressive handling, performance, and jumping ability, reaffirming its status as a formidable street-legal rally car. Let’s delve deeper into the capabilities of the Subaru WRX and how it continues to prove its worth on the rally stage.