Southern California canyon and mountain roads along with freeway routes to reach
them were the chosen routes for gaining first impressions of a 2006 Impreza WRX
Limited Sedan. A two-day itinerary included I-405 and I-5 from Torrance toward San
Diego, the Ortega Highway from San Juan Capistrano to Lake Elsinore and highways
76, 79, S7 and S6 between Oceanside and Julian.
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Styling Changes for 2006 |
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FRONT: |
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Subaru grille design |
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Front lip design on bumper apron (WRX, WRX STI) |
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Headlamps |
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Hood |
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Daytime Running Lights (WRX STI) |
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WRC roof vane spoiler (WRX STI) |
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Rear diffuser (WRX STI) |
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SIDES: |
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Side-sill spoilers |
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16-inch wheels (2.5i) |
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17-inch wheels (WRX) |
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REAR: |
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Lighting assemblies |
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The first thing I did when I saw the car was exactly what everyone does –
go to the front to see how the new grille and hood look. Their design is fresh and
well-integrated – the result of fine-tuning by a designer’s pen (or
computer) that thrusts forward the Impreza’s design.
Don’t be afraid of the new look; see it in person. It’s worth the trip.
Then, when sitting behind the wheel, see how the redesign affects your vision –
even your attitude. The crest of the hood swoops down from the fender lines. It
has a new crispness and the visual impact of driving a two-seat sports car.
The Impreza body has more than good looks. It’s also rigid, to which two full
days of driving testified. Tight curves, braking, accelerating – nothing perturbed
the body’s sense of solidity. Yet there was nothing heavy about the car. It
always felt light, nimble and well-balanced.
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Greg Jarem |
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Mechanical Changes for 2006 |
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POWER TRAIN: |
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i-Active Valve Lift system (2.5i) |
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Increased compression ratio (WRX) |
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Redesigned combustion chambers (WRX) |
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Redesigned intake manifold (WRX) |
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Secondary air pump replaces pre-catalyst (WRX) |
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Mechanical limited-slip differential and steering-angle sensor added to Driver Controlled
Center Differential (WRX STI) |
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Planetary gear set (WRX STI) |
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Engine immobilizer (WRX) |
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BRAKES: |
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Larger brake rotors (WRX) |
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Ventilated discs front and back (WRX) |
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Four-piston calipers in front, two-piston calipers in back – painted red with
SUBARU in white (WRX) |
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Even more indicative of the unitized body’s construction is the sound made
when hitting bumps in the road. From the suspension through the body to the driver’s
ears, there are no rattles, squeaks, groans or thumps. Instead, the body makes almost
a musical tone – a solid “pong” without resonance, something like
a tuning fork would make.
Attribute excellent body rigidity to a number of contemporary manufacturing techniques,
including the Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame structure, hydroformed front subframe
and side sills as well as tailored-blank welded B-pillars.
For 2006, all Impreza models have EJ25 2.5-liter Boxer engines, with changes in
the 2.5i and WRX engines wringing out greater power. See specifications in the accompanying
chart.
Overall, what impressed me most about the 2006 WRX Limited was the flow of power
produced from the engine through the drivetrain – its smoothness and the sense
of precise engineering that it evokes as well as the slightly audible “whirr”
when cruising at freeway speeds. Combining this with the nimble feel of the suspension
and the rigid body makes the car truly a delight to drive – all the way from
sea level to approximately 6,000 feet.
The centrally mounted WRX tach reflects the 2.5-liter engine’s capabilities
for peak horsepower and torque at lower engine speeds than the previous 2.0-liter
WRX engine.
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The car was undaunted by the curves and grades engaged on the canyon and mountain
roads. I expected more of a delay from the turbocharger. But what little lag there
is proves more than livable for the torque and power that the engine produces, whether
on the interstate, taking off from a stoplight or snaking up steep mountain grades.
Plus it has that distinctive Boxer sound.
Heading for southern California at the end of July may seem like madness. Temperatures
were close to 100° F, and the plan was to spend two days in a car totally exposed
to the sun and heat.
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Impreza Engines for 2006 |
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2.5i |
WRX |
WRX STI |
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Displacement |
2.5 liters |
2.5 liters |
2.5 liters |
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Air induction |
naturally aspirated |
intercooled turbo |
intercooled turbo |
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Horsepower |
173 @ 6,000 rpm |
230 @ 5,600 rpm |
300 @ 6,000 rpm |
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Torque (lb-ft) |
166 @ 4,400 rpm |
235 @ 3,600 rpm |
300 @ 4,000 rpm |
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Greg
Jarem
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Joseph
F. Barstys
Impreza enthusiast Sean Hook (left) and editor Ric Hawthorne discuss California
roads and changes for the 2006 Impreza.
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Still, the ride was comfortable at all times. Power never seemed to lag due to the
air conditioner running, and the seats proved themselves supportive. The WRX Limited’s
leather seats are perforated, so air circulates around the body and there’s
no stickiness. The front seats’ bolsters complement the performance handling
of the car, helping to hold their occupants in place through our route’s seemingly
unending series of turns.
Between the climate control system, windows and sunroof, airflow kept occupants
cool and alert. Controls are easy to reach.
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Joseph F. Barstys |
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Interior Changes for 2006 |
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SAFETY: |
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Dual-stage Subaru Advanced Airbag System |
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Standard front-seat head and chest side-impact air bags |
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CLIMATE CONTROL: |
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Standard air-filtration system |
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Standard outside temperature gauge |
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WAGONS: |
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Cargo area side rails |
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WRX LIMITED: |
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Black or beige leather seating |
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Dual-mode heated front seats |
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Windshield wiper de-icer |
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Heated side mirrors |
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Trunk spoiler (sedan only) |
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Moonroof |
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Holding the steering wheel at the three and nine o’clock positions was easier
because it was leather-wrapped. The five-speed manual transmission shifted quickly
and smoothly, always with the feeling of precision-made componentry. The standard
leather-wrapped shifter fit my hand well and felt comfortably solid – not
too heavy and not too light.
That being said, driving the Subaru WRX smoothly will demand practice for some.
While the clutch isn’t stiff, start-off and then matching engine
and road speeds in any given gear take acclimation because of the power that’s
developed under the hood. This is a common characteristic of performance vehicles.
Although the tire pattern and road surfaces made themselves known on occasion, conversation
at normal levels was always possible.
The WRX Limited leans more to the grand touring side of performance. It’s
the only WRX model that has an available four-speed automatic transmission.
Under normal driving conditions (albeit on some extraordinary roads!), the Subaru
Impreza WRX proves itself far more than capable. It’s astonishingly nimble
and has the feeling of precision and balance. You feel like you could thread a needle
with it.
Here you have tremendous performance in a package that can be easy and fun to handle.
If you practice smoothness and take this automobile’s power seriously, you
won’t be disappointed.
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