Subaru's Impreza WRX All-Wheel Drive performance icon has put the boot in for Model Year 2009, adding power, torque and a raft of other aggressive ingredients.

Subaru has unleashed sedan variants to complement the new generation hatch – and both body styles share the same turbocharged technical advances.

The 2.5 litre turbocharged engine now produces 195 Kilowatts of power at 6000 rpm and 343 Newtonmetres of torque at 4000 rpm.

While Impreza WRX is meaner, it's also greener - lower fuel consumption and emissions result from the engineering refinement.

Fuel consumption is improved in the combined cycle from 10.7 l/100km to 10.4 l/100km, while carbondioxide emissions are down from 252 g/km to 247 g/km.

Among the highlights, Impreza WRX offers:

• 0-100 km/h time improved from 5.8 seconds (MY08) to 5.31 seconds
• 26 Kilowatts more power
• 23 Newtonmetres more torque
• Increased boost
• Enhanced suspension package - sharper, more aggressive handling
• Better fuel efficiency (combined cycle/ADR 81/01)
• Carbondioxide emissions reduced
• Options of leather trim with sunroof, and satellite navigation
• New mesh grille, with WRX badges front and rear
• Distinctive red brake calipers
• Wider tyres
• Red stitch seating and steering wheel adds to sporty appearance
• WRX logos on front seats
• Pricing maintained at MY08 levels – simple choice between hatch or sedan, as prices identical

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: "Since we unveiled Impreza WRX sedan at the Australian International Motor Show in October, we've been inundated with inquiries.

"Controlled aggression sums up the MY09 Impreza WRX – it performs better across the board, from power and torque to carbon footprint, which is a major engineering achievement.

"New generation Impreza WRX hatch opened up a whole new stream of customers for us.

"Now the introduction of the sedan, combined with a raft of enhancements, gives us the opportunity to take the WRX profile to a whole new level."

Mr Senior said the new generation Impreza range is a winner across the board, with sales up 7.0 per cent to the end of October.

"We've had amazing customer acceptance of new generation Impreza, and early indications since the introduction of sedan variants in September are that it's going from strength to strength.

"Our safety message combined with a fun driving experience, durability, excellent whole-of-life costs and resale value, continue to attract new customers to Subaru."

Model Year 2009 Impreza WRX is on sale now.

Interior

Red stitching is added to Impreza WRX seats and steering wheels and the WRX logo features on front seats.

For the first time, the car is available with the options of leather with sunroof, satellite navigation or the combination of leather, sunroof and SatNav.

A 60/40 split/fold rear seat optimizes cargo carrying options.

Exterior

Impreza WRX sports a variety of exterior changes, producing a bold new look.

Wider Dunlop SP Sport 01 225/45R17 tyres combine with a new mesh grille and WRX badges front and rear, for added visual distinction.

Impreza WRX sedan features a boot lid spoiler and the hatch a rear roofline spoiler.

Red brake calipers differentiate WRX from other Impreza variants.

Colours

All variants:
Obsidian black pearl
Satin white pearl
Spark silver metallic
Dark grey metallic
Lightning red
WR blue mica

Engine

Impreza WRX's 2.5 litre turbocharged engine now produces 195 kW of power at 6000 rpm, up 15.4 per cent, and 343 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm, up 7.2 per cent.

Maximum turbocharger boost is increased from 78 kPa to 92 kPa.

A revised exhaust system provides a 30 per cent reduction in gas flow restriction, to match the turbocharger performance and increase engine power.

The changes have produced a quicker car:

Test date: 20 and 21 October 2008

Location: Eastern Creek Drag Strip, NSW: straight line acceleration
                Marulan Driver Training Centre, NSW: lap times

Ambient temperature: 17 – 19 oC

Drivers: Cody Crocker, Dean Herridge

Timing Engineers: Quarter Mile: Eastern Creek Drag Strip operators
                                    Lap Times & straight Line acceleration km/h:
                                    Subaru Australia Engineer, using 'V box'

Vehicles: MY08 Impreza WRX hatch
MY09 Impreza WRX hatch

Test Conditions: One occupant, standard tyre pressures, straight line acceleration quarter tank of fuel.
Lap times: full fuel tank, factory vehicle specification and minimum option weight.

Fuel efficiency also benefits from the engineering refinements:

Suspension

Significant testing was conducted in Australia and Japan to tune suspension settings for local conditions.

MY09 Impreza WRX is biased towards sports handling, while retaining good ride comfort, grip and stability when driven enthusiastically.

The coil springs, stabilizers and top mounts are stiffened and roll rigidity increased to improve maximum lateral G and turning ability.

Fine tuning of the damping forces in the shock absorbers provides linear response with minimal delay when steering.

Transmission

Improved shift feel is achieved in the transmission through use of a ball type key for the first and second gear synchro hubs and a change to the key groove on third and fourth synchro sleeve.

Hardened materials are used for the main shaft and first driven gear, while operation of the clutch slave cylinder now incorporates an orifice valve to protect the drivetrain during rapid clutch engagement.

Steering

A damper valve is added to the steering gearbox to reduce kickback, particularly when cornering on rough roads.

Wheels and tyres

Wheels and tyres were chosen to complement the suspension springs, damping and bushing, to ensure optimum grip and ride comfort.

The tyres also optimize the balance of dry and wet weather grip, steering response, NVH levels and ride comfort.

Tyre width is increased to 225/45 from 205/50, benefitting grip and handling performance, to match the more aggressive sports suspension setting.

MY09 Impreza WRX is fitted with Dunlop SP Sport 01 225/45R17 tyres and 17 x 7 JJ alloy wheels.

Safety

In line with Subaru's safety commitment, Impreza WRX sedan maintains the five-star rating for occupant safety from the independent Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

All Imprezas also share the highest four-star rating for pedestrian safety.

Since the introduction of Model Year 2009 Liberty and Outback in October, every Subaru now has standard electronic stability control.

New Impreza WRX model specifications at a glance:

• ABS anti-lock brakes with four-wheel discs and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• Brake Assist
• Child seat anchor points
• Curtain airbags – full length
• Dual front airbags
• Dual side airbags
• Four wheel disc brakes (ventilated front, solid rear)
• Front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Double pretensioners on driver's seatbelt
• Front adjustable seatbelt anchorage
• Hill Start Assist
• Rear door child lock
• Seatbelt indicator lights – front seats
• Shock absorbing brake and clutch pedals
• Side intrusion bars
• Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
• Three-point A/ELR rear centre seatbelt
• Vehicle Dynamics Control (electronic stability control system)

• AM/FM radio, six-stack in-dash CD, MP3/WMA compatible, 10 speakers
• AUX jack
• Bottle holders in each door + two cup holders in centre console
• Boot/cargo area light
• Cargo hooks (hatch only)
• Cargo security blind (hatch)
• Central locking - remote
• Climate control air conditioning
• Cruise control – steering wheel buttons
• Driver's footrest
• Height and reach adjustable steering column
• Height adjustable driver's seat
• Immobiliser security system
• Leather trim steering wheel with red stitching and audio controls; leather gearshift
• Map lights (2)
• Power steering, mirrors and windows
• Rear illumination electroluminescent instrument display
• Remote fuel lid release – tethered fuel cap
• Seatback pocket (passenger side)
• Sports bucket front seats with red stitching and WRX logo
• Two remote central locking keys
• Vanity mirror
• 60/40 split/fold rear seat
• 12V/120W power jacks

• Colour-coded mirrors and door handles
• Double locking system
• Front fog lights
• Headlights auto off
• Mesh grille
• Privacy glass
• Rear diffuser
• Rear roof spoiler with LED brake light (hatch)
• Rear roof mounted radio antenna
• Rear wiper (hatch)
• Self-levelling Xenon headlights with pop-up washers
• Sports body kit
• Tail pipe cover
• WRX badges – grille and boot/hatch
• 17-inch alloy wheels – spacesaver spare

Other features

• Alarm system
• Auto hatch/boot unlock on key
• DataDot security technology
• Electronic Throttle Control (ETC)
• Rear Limited Slip Differential
• Three year Roadside Assist
• Three-year unlimited kilometre warranty
• 2.5 litre turbocharged engine. 195 kW/6000 rpm, 343 Nm/4000 rpm

Options

• Leather trim with sunroof
• Satellite navigation. (This option removes in-dash six-CD, replaced by a single DVD/CD).
• SatNav with leather trim and sunroof

MY09 Impreza WRX Recommended Retail Pricing

These are recommended retail prices and do not include dealer and statutory charges.

Impreza WRX sedan and hatch $39,990
Impreza WRX sedan and hatch with leather trim and sunroof $42,490
Impreza WRX sedan and hatch with Sat Nav $42,980
Impreza WRX sedan and hatch with Sat Nav, leather and sunroof $45,480.

• Faster 0-100 km/h
• 15.4 per cent more power
• 7.2 per cent more torque
• Better fuel efficiency
• Carbondioxide emissions reduced
• Increased boost
• Enhanced suspension package - sharper, more aggressive handling
• Leather trim with sunroof, and satellite navigation options
• New mesh grille - WRX badges front and rear
• Distinctive red brake calipers
• Wider tyres
• Red stitch seating and WRX logo on front seats adds to sporty appearance

Pricing maintained at MY08 levels – simple choice between hatch or sedan, as prices identical