Updated 2018 Subaru WRX & WRX STI land, new spec.R tops range

Alvin Lee July 24, 2017 New Car Price, News 3,529 Views

Subaru’s iconic WRX and WRX STI performance twins have gained major update for the model year 2018 line-up, arriving into Australia with a starting price of $39,240 plus on-road costs for the WRX manual and $50,890 plus ORCs for the more hardcore WRX STI.

Mechanical and cosmetic changes are amongst the new upgrade, which also includes suspension tweaks, added features and improved interior trim quality. Subaru says the heavily revised line-up will drive the owner experience to a new “adrenaline-charged” level as the “Rex” pair add to their rally-backed reputation.

The 2018 update brings a restyled front fascia characterised by new headlight design, revised hexagonal grille and more prominent lower bumper openings. Both performance models also get new roof rack mounting brackets for improved visibility, a fresh set of alloy wheels, LED fog lights, while the WRX STI now get new steering responsive LED adaptive headlights and redesigned 19-inch wheels finished in dark gun-metal paint.

Inside, both models gain upgraded trim materials – high gloss black for WRX STI and black moulding for WRX – on the door switch panel, instrument panel centre, gear shift surrounds and steering centre bezel. Elsewhere, there are new door grips, rear seat armrest with cup holders and a faster opening remote boot. To improve refinement, Subaru has also installed thicker door glass, foam filled the windscreen header beam and revised the door seals.

The interior upgrade also includes a 5.9-inch multi-function display that replaces the old 4.3-inch unit and standard heated door mirrors on the WRX.

Subaru has introduced its EyeSight Driver Assist system in WRX automatic transmission variants, which now also feature an electronic parking brake and Automatic Vehicle Hold – meaning the driver doesn’t have to keep their foot on the brake pedal in situations such as traffic lights and road congestion.

Also new in entry-level WRX are dusk sensing headlights and rain sensing windscreen wipers, which are already featured in WRX Premium.

WRX Premium adds a 8-way power seat with dual memory and electric lumbar support for the driver’s seat – and heated driver and front passenger seat, while WRX Premium automatic adds the EyeSight Assist Monitor, which displays warnings and status on the lower windscreen.

Subaru has retuned both the WRX’s and WRX STI’s suspension on both axles with revised damping and springs all around, and thicker rear stabilisers for the rear suspension. The new suspension set up is said to optimise roll rigidity for sharper dynamics and greater ride comfort.

For improved stopping performance, WRX gains Jurid front brake pads, while WRX STI upgrades to stronger Brembo monoblock 6-piston calipers at the front and 2-piston calipers at the back, coupled with larger, drilled rotors all around.

Subaru’s WRX STI performance flagship model introduces a new range-topper – the WRX STI spec.R, which signals the return of Recaro seats to the nameplate.

New on entry-level WRX STI are heated door mirrors, while WRX STI Premium and WRX STI spec.R also add the Front View Camera which uses a front-mounted camera to display front blindspot such as approaching vehicles or pedestrians at intersections with poor visibility.

WRX STI Premium gets a 8-way power and electric lumbar support driver’s seat, while the front Recaro seats in the spec.R are also eight-way adjustable and heated.

No powertrain performance update has been made for the 2018 models, that means power continues to come from the same 2.0-litre direct-injected turbocharged flat-four for the WRX that develops 197kW and 350Nm of torque, channeled to the road via the Symmetrical AWD system and six-speed manual or optional CVT transmission.

Like the WRX, the STI’s 2.5-litre turbocharged Boxer engine remains unchanged, generating 221kW and 407Nm of torque.

Subaru Australia Managing Director, Colin Christie said: “Current generation WRX and WRX STI have truly taken on a life of their own in sales terms, harking back to the success they achieved in first generation back in the late 1990s.

“WRX fans recognise the amazing value these cars represent – and also engineering integrity – which sees these fantastic fun cars growing their audience more than 23 years after they launched in Australia, to create a cult following that is now well and truly mainstream.

“These comprehensive changes right across the range underline that fun, value, performance and safety can go hand-in-hand.”

As with the entire Subaru new car range, every WRX and WRX STI has an independent five-star rating for occupant safety.

READ MORE: 2018 Subaru WRX Premium Review
READ MORE: 2018 Subaru WRX STI Spec.R Review

2018 Subaru WRX and WRX STI features

Among the new features on all WRX variants:

Jurid performance brake pads – for superior fade resistance
Red painted brake callipers (front-only in auto variants)
New design 18-inch alloy wheels
Heated door mirrors
Fog lights upgraded to LED
Revised suspension
Electric lumbar support – WRX Premium and WRX STI Premium

Every WRX and WRX STI also adds:

Steering responsive LED headlights, with LED Daytime Running Lights
5.9-inch Multi-Function Display – upgraded from 4.3-inch – wider with higher definition, making viewing and reading data easier
Greater practicality and convenience, with the introduction of roof carrier brackets

WRX STI also adds new sports features including:

Yellow Brembo 6-pot front + 2-pot rear brake callipers
Cross-drilled brake rotors – for even greater braking performance
19-inch alloy wheels – for greater agility, handling and tremendous performance – the first time the larger wheels have featured on WRX STI
New front bumper and grille
Red seatbelts
Revised suspension

2018 Subaru WRX and WRX STI pricing (excluding on-roads)