'15 WRX Details

In the wake of the unveiling on November 20th at the LA Auto Show, Subaru has been releasing more details on the new 2015 Subaru WRX.  Below is the latest of that information, including a digital brochure with statistics, options for the trim packages, and comparisons to other vehicles it competes with.  Many of the options remain the same as what was offered on the previous model, but there are some noticeable additions to this 4th Generation WRX that should get some attention.

WRX

• 268-hp turbocharged, direct-injection 2.0-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine
• Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
• 6-speed manual transmission
• High-performance suspension
• Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with Active Torque Vectoring
• 15-spoke 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
• Cloth upholstery
• 6-speaker single-CD audio system with HD Radio®, SiriusXM® Satellite
  Radio, USB port/iPod® control, Bluetooth® connectivity and 3.5-mm
  auxiliary jack
• Automatic climate control

WRX PREMIUM includes WRX key features and adds:

• Available Sport Lineartronic™ Transmission with 6- or 8-speed manual mode and paddle shifters
• Power-tilt/sliding moonroof
• Fog lights
• Trunk spoiler
• All-Weather Package
Optional Equipment
• Navigation System Package with Aha™ Infotainment and Harman Kardon Speaker System

WRX LIMITED includes WRX Premium key features and adds:

• L.E.D. headlights with auto-on/off
• Leather-trimmed upholstery
• 8-way power driver's seat
• Welcome lighting
Optional Equipment
• Navigation System Package with Aha™ Infotainment and Harman Kardon Speaker System
• Keyless Access & Start

Click here for Video & a Digital Brochure

Black Friday Flaps!

The Gorilla Off-Road Company is having their first-ever Black Friday Deal on their Mud Flaps/Gravel Guards will be available all day (midnight to midnight - Mountain Time) on Friday, November 29, 2013.  Quality mud flaps usually run $125-$145, so getting a set for under $100 is pretty nice.  Check out the prices and models they're available for!

• United States = $89.95 shipped
• Canada = $99.95 shipped
• International = $114.95 shipped

They're available in the following models

• 1993-2014 Subaru Impreza (all - US)
• 1998-2014 Subaru Forester (all - US)
• 1995-2009 Subaru Outback/Legacy (all - US)
• 2013-2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
• 2003-2006 Subaru Baja (all - US)

For more details or to order yours (gotta wait until Friday, though!) visit their website.  

Gorilla Off-Road Company

WRX in Action (Updated)

Saw this video at the Unveil on Wednesday and couldn't seem to find it until now.  Excited to see the WRX still handles dirt just as well as it handles asphalt.

Mixed reactions on the bodystyle are expected, but I'm more excited to see how it drives.  If it's anything like what we've seen in the unveil, it's gonna be a blast! That Torque-Vectoring system, and limits under steer and wheel slippage, should make things pretty fun!  Video link is after the jump.

EDIT:  Click here for Digital Brochure Link

Radio Swappin

A good friend of mine has a 2011 WRX that he's always tinkering with.  Well, today I was surprised to hear he needed my help... only to realize that I probably need the help of the community to get him the right answers.  This is where you come in.

It's no trade secret, the stock radio in the WRX is pretty weak.  However, Subaru has recently been making some nicer radios that have frequently been swapped into other vehicles.  In this case, my friend has tracked down an HD Radio w/Satellite option from a 2013 Subaru Forester 2.5X Limited.

The radio will hook up directly to his existing hardware BUT it only has a Satellite button, no receiver.  Part of the reason he sought out this radio was to take advantage of the ability to have that feature integrated into his radio instead of using an external device, like he has now.  The trick is: to add the Sirius Radio Kit from Subaru to his WRX, does he need the part for the HD/SAT Radio for the 2013 Forester?  Or does he need it for a Standard/SAT Radio for the WRX?  Part numbers for both are below.

H621SSC300 - Forester HD/SAT Kit
H621SSC001 - WRX HD/SAT Kit

Wednesday Wheelin

Had some GREAT turnout for this last week's meet on Wednesday.  Every week at 6pm a buncha Subarus pull up to the dealership and this week... "a buncha" meant 15, which is quite the feat for a weekly meet.  Usually we have between 3 and 5 cars, so I was pretty excited to see triple the usual turnout.

There was an interesting mix of cars there, too.  Mostly 3rd Generation Imprezas and WRXs... and mostly hatchbacks for that matter.  There were some older models mixed in, a '98 Legacy, '00 RS, and an '02 Forester as well as a newer '13 Legacy (ironically, all Silver) that made it out, too.  Once we left the dealership, we decided to get food at a local Chinese Buffet and lined 'em up in the lot there.  We choose a different location to go get food every week, so it's nice to change things up.  

Usually we don't enjoy turnout of this size unless it's the warmer summer months, so I was pleasantly surprised to see such a strong showing despite the colder weather.  I already look forward to Wednesday Evenings thanks to this meet, but it's nice to get a surprise with turnout like this.  Met some new folks and reconnected with long-time friends.  Just an all-around good time... and just the reminder this group needed.

Unveil Time!

I''ll update this post as more information becomes available.  Live feed starting at 12:30 CST link is >>HERE<<

10:30am CST - We're 2 hours away from it, but we've got a sneak peek at whats under those veils.  Crystal White Pearl and either a Dark Gray or Black one in the background.  Both are WRXs, no STi at this point.  Looking mean!

11:30am CST - Pictures have been flying around earlier today.  Just thought I'd update with links to those.  Photos are of a WRX Limited in Lightning Red.  Interior photos with a decent shot at what the seat design will be.  Also a video walkaround of that white one pictured above.

12:30 CST - WRX unveiled!  Fooled me, thought it'd be the white one pictured above.  The unveiled WRX is the Lightning Red format, which was also right next to the Legacy Concept.  The new 2015 Legacy will come out summer of 2014, so we'll probably see the unveil of that redesign in the Spring, much like when we saw the WRX Concept this past year.

Styling notes aside, there's a lot more under the hood on this.  While HP has only increased to 268, torque takes a bump to 258.  There are also carbon mesh synchros on 1st and 2nd gear that are a welcome improvement in this new 6-speed Manual Transmission.  Oddly enough, the SI-Drive in the WRX is only available in the High-Torque CVT option (automatic), but from the demonstration video, there looks to be plenty of fun to be had in this car.  Exhaust note sounds nice, too!

One Day

There they are!  Two 2015 Subaru WRXs waiting for their unveiling at the LA Auto Show tomorrow!

Dealerships will be participating in the launch for this car from the Touchscreens on their showrooms for a live feed of the unveil.

"At 10:30 am PST (1:30 pm EST/12:30 pm CST) on the day of the reveal (tomorrow), the Subaru Digital Showroom touch screen will be completely taken over by the live reveal of the 2015 Subaru WRX from the show floor. The presentation will last approximately 30 minutes, after which the touch screen will return to normal functionality. Directly following the live feed, the 2015 Subaru WRX walk-around video will be available in the Video Library and a promotional spot will run. In addition, a preview section for the new vehicle will be introduced in December. "

Also, this chart from Jalopnik outlining all the details of the MY2015 WRX unearths a few more details.  CVT will be an option for the WRX, the STi is getting a 2.5 instead of a 2.0, and some nice options to choose from.  Everything from harmon kardon audio to Gold BBS wheels with a special blue-bolstered "Launch Edition" interior.