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IMPRESSION
November 25, 2021
Test drive of the Subaru WRX S4 prototype – A distinctive performance car that has become much more mature | SUBARU
SUBARU WRX S4 | SUBARU WRX S4
Test drive of the Subaru WRX S4 prototype
The new model of the WRX S4, which Subaru bills as "a distinctive performance car with overwhelming sports performance," was announced on November 25. Ahead of this, we bring you impressions from automotive journalist Fumio Ogawa, who test drove a prototype at Sodegaura Forest Raceway in Chiba Prefecture.
Text by FUMIO Ogawa | Photographs by SUBARU
Achieving both a surprisingly sporty driving feel and a comfortable ride
For car enthusiasts, the announcement of a new car is always an exciting event. If you're looking for your next car, this is one that's worth waiting for: the new Subaru WRX S4.
Subaru's WRX S4 is described by the manufacturer as "a distinctive performance car with overwhelming sports performance." The new model, introduced on November 25, 2021, was test driven in a prototype that the company states is "almost identical to the production version." The drive revealed a surprisingly sporty feel, yet also a comfortable ride and a distinctly more mature impression.
For driving enthusiasts, the WRX has always been a compelling model since its debut as the first-generation Impreza WRX in 1992. The S4 was first released in Japan as a sports sedan in 2014.
The prototype features sharp body lines and a sleek front fascia, with powerfully flared wheel arches that hint at its performance capabilities, carrying over the characteristics of the previous model.
The engine retains its horizontally opposed 4-cylinder configuration. However, the displacement has increased from the previous 2.0 liters to 2.4 liters. This is paired with Subaru's Symmetrical AWD full-time four-wheel-drive system and a continuously variable transmission.
Regarding the engine further, although the displacement has increased by 0.4 liters in the new model, the maximum output has decreased from 221kW to 201kW (275ps), and the maximum torque has been reduced from 400Nm to 375Nm. However, thanks to the adoption of a new turbocharger, acceleration response has improved, providing a seamless acceleration feel that continues to the rev limit.
The prototype test drive took place on a small circuit. Settling into the cockpit, which gave the impression of a "man's workspace," and gripping the thick-rimmed steering wheel, one's excitement quickly builds. This is surely a "good tradition" of the WRX.
The control of the latest continuously variable transmission, named "Subaru Performance Transmission" (previously referred to by names like "Lineartronic"), is also superb, providing a catapult-like acceleration.