Overall tracking performance
When you look at today’s transmission technology, choosing an automatic transmission over a manual option is often an easy decision.
To prove the point, on auto expert test track, Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 PDK half a second more than the manual version and Hyundai i30 N DCT almost a whole second was achieved compared to the manual variant.
with SUBARUWRX this turns out not to be the case – which is great if you love manual transmissions but find it hard to give up any performance benefits from the car, but at the same time, it’s also unusual.
Subaru seems to have really drawn a clear line for their customers, with a Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) transmission that serves more everyday use than performance.
Engine
As I mentioned in my manual Subaru WRX review, the upgrade from 2.0 liter to engine 2.4 liter turbocharged ‘Boxer’ enginewith 202kW power and 350Nm of torque, only a moderate increase of 5kW, despite the 400cc addition in size.
The torque curve is wide and flat but can be pushed a lot further from this engine, and while it’s smooth and easy to drive I want it sharp and sharp – I want the torque to skyrocket and acceleration.
I immediately noticed the difference in performance compared to the manual Subaru WRX, the power transmission was not the same.
It also does not have the same feedback as the manual. Interestingly, it feels like a loss across the entire rev range, making the experience on the track completely different.
The problem of running out of revs from manual gear is gone, but so is the urgency to increase gears and balance the car with the throttle. There is a disconnect between the accelerator pedal and the response to the wheel and road surface.
On a positive note, the torque curve is improved, making the engine more capable over the rev range for everyday use, but lacks the power reminiscent of previous versions.
I manage 0-100 of 6.47 seconds for the CVT compared to 6.35 seconds for the manual, but ideally at least a second faster for both. The claimed time from Subaru shows exactly the same distance, with the CVT being 0.1 second slower than the manual we tested, and I’m sure that difference is due to the extra weight in tS variant.
Again, this engine has a lot of potential, but it needs to exploit that potential to keep up with the competition.
brake
Braking performance is almost identical to the manual Subaru WRX.
With a time of 100-0 of 2.8 seconds @ 36.03mwith the same brake pedal feel and good ability to be able to adjust the pedal and control the release when cornering.
chassis
The chassis is really the highlight of the Subaru WRX, with a huge improvement in the powertrain underneath.
Better overall balance thanks to improved chassis rigidity. The understeer trend has subsided and the mid-angle balance is now very neutral.
The challenge of driving the Subaru WRX has lessened and there’s more room for performance available on offer. Whenever I tried to teach someone on older WRXs, they would always go overboard, wasting time while I yelled “WAIT!”.
It’s not a fight anymore and you can get stronger with steering and throttle inputs without adverse reactions.
Subaru has improved the front shape as well as added rear support through the stabilizer bar. The potential of this chassis has been greatly boosted and makes it more capable on the track.
Transmission and differential
I’ve really struggled to see the benefits of this CVT on the track, with the only benefit being no gearshift. It’s a strange experience that makes me wonder if this is driven by a turbocharged engine.
The idea of the CVT is to eliminate the need for gears and use pulleys of different widths, then for the driving experience it tries to mimic the gearshifts using the already established points. set in range.
Now, since it’s always looking for the optimal point in the engine’s rev range, the feeling you get is completely different and you’re almost missing out on the engine’s layers. Mentally, it’s like a clutch slip, but it keeps moving forward.
We all know that the more seamless you can shift gears, the better. Therefore, in theory, completely eliminating gearshifts would be ideal for acceleration, like in electric cars. So how do we reduce performance on a straight line compared to a manual transmission, in a car that isn’t easy to start by hand?
There’s also a slight disconnect between the accelerator pedal and the output, and there seems to be a delay as the transmission bands adjust.
As for the feeling of nerf, we’ll have to dig a little deeper, but the overall result is a drop in performance and a lack of engagement.
For the majority of driving, you’ll probably never notice this and there will be fuel economy benefits, but this isn’t something I’m looking at when buying a WRX.
The four-wheel drive system is slightly different from the CVT, with a variable torque distribution instead of the usual 50/50 split.
To really see how this works, I’ll need a lower grip environment, but I don’t see myself as capable of balancing the bike on the accelerator. The WRX actually feels very free and neutral throughout the corner, but it’s not a setup you can hustle and react from.
Suspended
The Subaru WRX tS has electronically controlled dampers (adjustable) compared to the manual version we tested, a system similar to the one used in the Hyundai i30 N – using a roll solenoid at the bottom of each damper.
Because the driving experience between a manual and a CVT is so different, it’s a real challenge to spot a huge difference in suspension.
It feels like there’s been an improvement in lateral grip, especially when loading in the middle of a corner, and control in high-speed corners is also improved.
As with all Subarus, it has good support in collisions and in curb attacks.
Drive system
My answer here is identical to the manual and I wish they had left this part of the car as it was the previous generation.
There is a real lack of connection and feel between the steering wheel and the road surface.
I’m sure they’ll improve the response for future versions and most people won’t notice a huge difference to driving and parking in general.
But for what used to be the highlight of the Subaru WRX, this is definitely missed.
Wheels and Tires
The tire between the Subaru WRX manual and CVT is identical, using Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 245/40 R18s tires.
The tires perform well on the track and there isn’t a huge drop in performance over the laps, but I feel like they miss out on a bit of outright performance and lap times compared to something like the Michelin Pilot. Sport 4S.
Driver Assistance (Electronic)
I ran with everything exactly like the manual WRX, the Sport# power steering, the steering in Sport mode, the suspension in Sport mode and the AWD in Sport mode, with no traction control. line or stability.
Cockpit (Ergonomics)
I like the handlebars; it has a good texture and grip although a bit thicker than ideal.
The good seating position and side support on the track are reasonable.
In addition, the drive mode selection screen, is very user-friendly and easy to adjust.
Time ring
For me, this is really a head-to-head gunfight between the Manual and CVT versions of the WRX, which you’d think would be a pretty close fight.
When you consider the level of driver engagement, it’s a good idea to use manual transmission at all times, and the benefit of the suspension in the Subaru WRX tS is that it doesn’t cause or break down. So it just comes down to lap time and it may come as no surprise that the manual transmission also wins there…
In 62.26 seconds, the WRX CVT is almost a second slower than what I did in the manual WRX (61.37 seconds) a few weeks earlier, with a more dynamic and engaging experience. Going against the trend of other manual automatic transmissions, there is indeed a distinct difference in target market between the two versions.
While total lap timing isn’t the only factor in choosing a driving experience – for better or worse – Subaru has made the choice a little easier for the fans of manual gears out there. .
Atko’s 3:
- Let the car glide through more corners than previous WRX models
- Don’t expect an immediate response when you turn on the power
- Watch out if a manual WRX shows up in a race
Click image for full gallery
THAN: Everything Subaru WRX
