Story and photos by Grant Yoxon
 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX. Click image to enlarge |
Mont Tremblant, PQ – For the 2006 model year, Subaru has tuned up the Impreza, applying the corporate look first seen with the 2006 B9 Tribeca, boosting the output of the sporty WRX model with a new and larger turbocharged engine, and improving the output of the entry level 2.5i sedan, sport wagon and outback with new variable valve lift technology.
What people will notice is the new front-end design which features a three-section mesh-type grille inspired, the company says, by Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries’ aircraft heritage. FHI has been involved in building aircraft since 1916 and currently builds the wings for the Boeing 777. The shape of the Subaru corporate grille loosely resembles the body of an aircraft and wings when viewed from the front.
Also new for 2006 are headlight and taillight assemblies, and revised flared front fenders. Following on the WRX design, all models now have aluminum hoods (and smaller hood scoops on WRX and WRX STI models). Headlights are projector beam halogen on all models except the WRX STI which has Xenon high intensity discharge low beams.
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For increased safety, all Impreza’s now have new dual-stage advanced front airbags, while the Impreza 2.5i and Outback Sport receive the front seat mounted head and chest side-impact airbags already standard on the WRX.
Not new is all-wheel-drive – a feature that has been standard equipment on all Subarus since 1995. However, Imprezas equipped with the optional 4-speed automatic transmission benefit from a new electronic torque split system that monitors engine speed, estimated steering angle and any speed difference between the front and rear axles to adjust torque distribution for better handling and traction. Previously, torque distribution was determined by pre-set values programmed into a data map.
When equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, the Impreza 2.5i and Outback Sport use a viscous-coupling limited-slip locking centre differential that distributes power 50/50 front to rear. Both systems power all four wheel under most circumstances and will transfer more power to the wheels with the best grip should slippage occur.
The Subaru Impreza is available in both sedan and wagon (except STI) and range in price from $23,495 for the base 2.5i sedan with manual transmission to $48,995 for the performance topping STI sedan.
 2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5i
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Calling the entry level 2.5i (the RS designation has been dropped for 2006) ‘base’ is misleading as these are some of the best equipped cars in their class at entry level. Equipment such as 16-inch alloy wheels, front-seat mounted side impact air bags, auto-off headlights, roof rack on the wagon, tinted windows, variable intermittent windshield wipers, air conditioning, cruise control, power door locks, power windows, power adjustable side mirrors, remote keyless entry, security alarm, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution and, of course, standard all-wheel-drive, are optional features on most other competitors. Be sure to compare apples to apples when shopping for a compact sedan or wagon.
The upscale trim level in models equipped with the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine is the Outback Sport Wagon which starts at $27,895 with 5-speed manual transmission. Outback Sport styling is highlighted by a steel grey metallic lower body colour, side mouldings and bumpers, plus projector-beam halogen fog lights. Additional standard features on this well-dress compact wagon include two-tone graphite grey tricot cloth upholstery, heated front seats, lockable crossbars on the roof rack, 7-spoke 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, map light, retractable cargo cover, 12-volt power outlet in the cargo area, cargo tie down hooks and cargo tray.
 2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5-litre engine
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The Impreza 2.5i and Outback Sport also get a more powerful version of the 2.5-litre SOHC horizontally opposed, or ‘Boxer’ engine for 2006. The addition of a variable valve lift system, called I-Active Valve Lift, boosts horsepower to 173 from 165.
Although we didn’t get the opportunity to spend any wheel-time with the 2.5i during a recent press preview of the Impreza line-up, this engine is one of the largest displacement engines found in a compact car. It provides more than sufficient power to overcome the inertia of all-wheel-drive, although fuel consumption – rated for 2006 at 10.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 7.5 L/100 km on the highway (manual transmission) – is anything but class leading.
Most of our day at Subaru’s Impreza press preview was spent driving the WRX model on the road and on the track at Circuit Mont Tremblant.
 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX Sport Wagon. Click image to enlarge |
For 2006 the WRX gets a new, larger 2.5-litre double overhead cam turbocharged engine, replacing the 2.0 turbocharged power plant. With the 2.5-litre engine, the WRX model – available in both sedan and sport wagon versions – gets a slight increase in horsepower to 230 from 227, but a bigger jump in torque – now 235 lb-ft at 3,600 rpm, up from 217 lb-ft.
The WRX models provide impressive acceleration and road handling ability. The chassis is taut thanks to the stiff spine provided by all-wheel-drive and the ride is firm. But despite this, the WRX traversed some deplorable roads without jarring except through the worst craters. My driving partner and I both commented on the tight feel, the excellent fit and finish, and rattle- and squeak-free interior.
WRX models get new 17-inch alloy wheels and 215/45 R17 Bridgestone Potenza all-season radials for 2006. The security system includes an engine immobilizer. But the big improvement is in braking – the 2006 Impreza WRX receives larger ventilated disc brakes at all four wheels – 292 x 24 mm with 4-piston calipers up front. The rears have 2-piston calipers and measure 288 x 18 mm.
 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
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The braking improvement was most noticeable on the track at Circuit Mont Tremblant where journalists were permitted to lap the track at speed. We didn’t experience any noticeable brake fade despite repeated laps and more than one WRX entered the pits with smoking wheel wells.
With all-wheel-drive, you have to work hard to kick out the tail – the car tends rather to slide sideways momentarily while all four wheels fight for traction. Despite their all-season rating, the Bridgestone’s provided good cornering grip, and the WRX’s contoured sport seats kept me well planted.
I like the mechanical sound of the WRX’s drivetrain. You feel connected with the machine through all points of contact – the shifter, clutch, brakes, throttle and steering wheel.
Although I am by no means a skilled sports car driver – I drive well below my limits on the road and only approach my limits gradually on the track – I found that I preferred the WRX and its 5-speed manual transmission to the six-speed transmission in the 300 hp WRX STI on the Mont Tremblant track.
While the STI has huge amounts of acceleration and better cornering ability with its rally-derived inverted shock set-up and 225/45R17 Bridgestone Potenza unidirectional summer tires, I suffered continuously from gear confusion. One can circumnavigate Circuit Mont Tremblant in second and third gear in the WRX, but in the STI, one must move up to fourth. But when the engine speed called for fourth gear, I was rapidly running out of track coming into a turn and thinking “second or third?”, not “move up to fourth.” More time and more laps in the more virile STI might have resolved my confusion.
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The WRX STI – the STI derives from Subaru’s high performance and motorsports subsidiary, Subaru Technica International – is designed to race. It draws Motorsports technology directly from Subaru’s expertise in FIA World Rally Championship competition, although the STI is optimized for paved roads.
For 2006, the STI’s 2.5-litre horizontally opposed, turbocharged and intercooled 4-cylinder remains virtually unchanged, producing 300 hp at 6,000 rpm and 300 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The turbocharger produces 14.4 psi of maximum boost and a large capacity intercooler uses a manually operated water spray to enhance intercooler efficiency during high-performance driving. Zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) times are typically less than five seconds.
Another driver-controlled feature of the STI is its centre differential (DCCD). In automatic mode, torque is varied front to rear automatically, depending on driving conditions and driver input. The system can determine the ideal power distribution in response to vehicle acceleration, deceleration, steering angle, cornering force and wheel slippage. But set manually, the driver can set the system to transfer as much as 59 per cent of available torque to the rear wheels to increase handling agility.
Aside from the corporate make-over, the principal changes on the STI for 2005 are high intensity discharge low beam headlights, a secondary roof vane spoiler intended to increase downforce at speed, a new rear under-body diffuser to improve aerodynamics, liquid-filled engine mounts, improved DCCD and carbon-plated synchronizers on 4th, 5th and 6th gears.
 2006 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport. Click image to enlarge |
At $48,995, high racing technology doesn’t come cheap. You can get a lot more luxury in the $50,000 price range, but you’d be hard pressed to find a more purpose-built driving machine than the Subaru WRX STI for less than $50K.
To my mind, the WRX appears to be the better buy, and at $35,495 one of the best performance buys on the market for enthusiast drivers who will rarely see a track.
But if you just have to have the best, the STI will not disappoint. To truly experience this car though, you will need to drive on a race track. A free membership to a local motorsports club should be included in the price tag.