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The 2016 Subaru WRX and WRX STI just made their dealer launch in South Africa with a feature U.S. models don’t get. The SA models get new High Beam assist High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps. U.S. models only get Light-Emitting Diode (LED) headlights. Not a big deal?
IIHS recently conducted a headlight study
According to a recent IIHS headlight study, they found that only one U.S. model received a good rating (Toyota Prius) for headlight illumination, 11 models acceptable, and 10 models with a poor rating. Subaru’s Outback with the new HID headlights was in the acceptable range. These are same lamps the SA WRX/STI models come with now.
Subaru’s Outback is the only model to get the new HID headlights in the U.S. market. Performance enthusiasts in the U.S. may have to wait until 2018 for the Subaru WRX and WRX STI to get the improved illumination HID headlights. They do make a difference in safety at night.
SA WRX/STI models get the new ‘Hawkeye’ HIDs
South African 2016 Subaru WRX and WRX STI get ‘Hawkeye’ High Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting, replacing the previous system. High-intensity discharge (HID) low-beam projector headlights (with auto-on/off), provide better light intensity than ever before. The IIHS study says the Outback’s lamps provide improved illumination at night over the LED lamps currently on WRX/STI models.
2016 WRX/STI models in SA also get the High Beam Assist (HBA). HBA can automatically toggle between high and low beams depending on road conditions such as speed and oncoming traffic, enhancing visibility for you, and other drivers as well.
The new 2016 South African Subaru WRX and WRX STI get the new HID headlamps now. U.S. WRX and WRX STI buyers will have to wait. It seems not all 2016 Subaru WRX and WRX STI performance sedans are created equal. The new U.S. spec 2017 WRX does come with new Steering Responsive Fog lights you can read about here.
Source: Subaru
Image source: Subaru
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