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2015 Subaru WRX styling falls short Legacy Concept looks better

Subaru has unveiled the all-new 2015 WRX at the Los Angeles Auto Show. But did the new WRX get the improved styling that the Legacy Concept got?

At 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time, the all-new next-generation Subaru WRX made its global debut in LA. The performance car doesn't appear to have the styling that the Legacy Concept does. Did Subaru go far enough with the new styling like they did with the Legacy Concept? We knew the event would draw lots of attention, and our own Keith Griffin from Torque News grabbed these first shots from the unveiling ceremony. There were tons of media present as Tomokiko Ikada presented the new WRX at the press event. Here are the first official details.

There were a number of details revealed at the event today as the Fuji Heavy CEO addressed the large crowd. Here is what we know from the press event held at the global debut today. Ikada said the new WRX is “Power with control, and the best handling WRX ever.” The new generation performance car gets an all-new completely retuned suspension that gives it improved handling. It also receives a new Torque Vectoring System on the newly-designed chassis.

It will come with a new six-speed standard gearbox with a short-throw shifter and carbon sycro’s in first and second gear for quicker shifts. It will be available with a new Sport Lineartronic with paddle shifters for those wanting an automatic transmission.

The all-new FA 2.0-liter four cylinder turbo engine was designed just for the new 2015 WRX. It replaces the outgoing 2.5-liter Boxer engine, but performance fans shouldn’t be too disappointed with the 268 horspower and 258 lb. ft of torque. Similar to the BRZ, the new smaller engine sits lower in the chassis which will give the new WRX better handling and driving dynamics in the corners. How fast will it go? Subaru says it wall launch from 0-60 in just over 5 seconds. The new efficient engine will achieve 30 mpg highway.

Outside the new WRX will come standard with 17-inch wheels and the body gets 80 percent new sheet metal over the outgoing model. But did Subaru really change the new generation WRX enough? It will also have a 1-inch longer wheelbase, which Subaru says will improve the handling. It has a wider body and sits lower than the previous generation model. All good things for performance fans. But the new Legacy Concept received far more changes than the WRX.

Inside the new WRX will get a sportier feel but also comes with new soft-touch materials. The sport seats will feature a new red stitching. It will get a new sport sterring wheel that is thicker and sports a flat bottom like many high-performance cars coming out. It also gets new luminescent gauges, infotainment system and carbon fiber inlays.

From first glance, it appears Subaru has done a good job on the new 2015 WRX from underneath. But it looks like they fell short on the exterior styling. Come back tomorrow and we’ll have complete details on the new performance 2015 WRX. Tell us what you think of the new WRX exterior styling.

Comments

John Goreham    November 20, 2013 - 6:26PM

Wow. The teaser pics made it look great, but in these new shots it seems very bland. How is the CVT in the WRX? Do fans like it? I know the stick is great, but real rally cars haven't used stick shifts in a long time. Anyone out there drive one? I'd like to know.