Subaru telah mengumumkan pelancaran model terhad baharu, WRX S4 STI Sport, yang ditujukan kepada pasaran Jepun. Terhad kepada hanya 500 unit, varian istimewa ini memperkenalkan beberapa ciri dan peningkatan reka bentuk yang unik, menjadikannya tawaran eksklusif untuk peminat. Penjualan akan dijalankan melalui sistem loteri, terbuka untuk penyertaan dari 12 hingga 28 Januari.
WRX S4 STI Sport menampilkan beberapa peningkatan mencolok, termasuk pemilihan rim 19 inci BBS yang ditempa dengan warna Super Black dan dilengkapi tayar Michelin Pilot Sport 5. Reka bentuk luar menampilkan gril hadapan hitam yang telah diubahsuai, lencana hitam, dan spoiler bibir hitam pada lid. Sentuhan reka bentuk tambahan termasuk cermin sisi berwarna Crystal Black Silica dan antena atap.
Dari segi prestasi, model terhad ini mendapat manfaat daripada ‘tower bar’ di bawah hood dan bar pengetat di bahagian belakang, menyumbang kepada pengalaman pemanduan yang lebih baik. Di bawah hood, ia mengekalkan enjin empat silinder turbo 2.4 litre secara mendatar bersama dengan transmisi berterusan, memberikan kuasa sebanyak 271hp dan tork sebanyak 375Nm.
WRX S4 STI Sport menampilkan dalaman yang unik dengan stereng yang dilapisi kulit sebenar dengan jahitan perak, penutup kotak gear yang menampilkan jahitan perak, dan tempat duduk Recaro yang direka khas di bahagian hadapan. Tempat duduk ini dilapisi dengan bahan ultra suede dengan jahitan kontras, memberikan keselesaan dan estetik yang bersifat sport. Bahan suede ini meluas ke sebahagian daripada papan instrumen, sandaran tangan, dan konsol tengah.
Dengan harga 6,237,000 yen (RM198,751), WRX S4 STI Sport edisi terhad ini dijangka akan menarik minat yang besar, dengan Subaru menggunakan sistem loteri untuk penjualan. Keunikan model ini, bersama dengan elemen reka bentuk yang mencolok, kemungkinan besar akan menarik peminat Subaru.
After nearly 20 years, the rally-bred Subaru WRX starts its fifth generation. As expected, many elements of its new looks are derived from the Viviz Performance Concept which was displayed at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. It’s a familiar form that evolved from the Impreza, with differentiating features like the prominent bonnet scoop and wider bodywork.
Viviz Performance Concept shown at 2017 Tokyo Motor Show.
At the front, Subaru’s signature hexagonal grille is flanked by more compact LED, while prominent character lines across the front, sides, rear of the car express the dynamic character. The front fenders are now made of aluminium which reduces the overall vehicle weight by about 2.3 kgs. The bootlid has an integrated low-profile rear spoiler in matching body colour, with the taillights designed to glow like volcanic magma.
Apart from enhancing the looks, several functional aerodynamic improvements also enhance the new WRX’s performance and stability. An air outlet at the trailing edge of the front wheel opening allows air to exit from the wheel well more freely, contributing to reduced lift on the front tyres and improved driving stability. Another air outlet added at each side of rear bumper reduces body sway due to air trapped behind the bumper.
Molded wheel arches and lower trim feature an aerodynamic texture that reduces air resistance. Beneath the front end, the engine undercover also features this same aerodynamic texture, and augments it with a geometry that channels airflow to increase downforce at the front of the vehicle.
For the all-new model, the WRX gets a new 2.4-litre turbocharged boxer engine with an output of 271 bhp/350 Nm, with tuning to broaden the torque curve starting from 2,000 and continuing up to 5,200 rpm. The increased displacement, along with a turbocharger equipped with electronically controlled wastegate and air bypass valves, is said to provide improved responsiveness and acceleration.
It goes without saying that there is Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and customers can choose either a 6-speed manual transmission the new Subaru Performance Transmission which is an 8-speed CVT. While the manual transmission has quicker shifting, the CVT incorporates adaptive shift control that can quickly respond to perform rev-matching downshifts under braking, maintain the ideal ratio through corners, and respond faster on corner exit.
Besides, Active Torque Vectoring, the new WRX GT offers new electronically-controlled dampers, a first-ever for the model. These can tailor the dynamic performance to the driver’s preferences with Comfort, Normal, and Sport settings. The Drive Mode Select also offers additional options to configure steering feel, damper settings, SI-Drive settings, and more, with up to 430 different customization options.
Engine and automatic transmission operation can be tailored to driver preferences with three different settings for the SI-Drive Performance Management System. For additional driver involvement, an 8-speed manual mode can be accessed using steering wheel paddle shifters. An available external transmission fluid cooler improves durability and capability under demanding conditions.
The Subaru Global Platform on which the new WRX sits is a substantial upgrade in ride and handling performance. It has increased chassis stiffness and a lower centre of gravity. The platform has full inner frame construction and increased use of structural adhesives, delivering 28% increase in overall torsional rigidity and a 75% increase in suspension mounting point rigidity. A longer suspension stroke increases stability and lateral grip on uneven surfaces. The rear stabilizer bar, now mounted directly to the body (vs. the subframe), operates more efficiently and contributes to a roll rate reduction when cornering.
The track-tuned suspension has optimized geometry and reduced mass offset of the front suspension. A new dual-pinion electric power steering system separates the driver’s input shaft from the motor assist shaft. Together, these enhancements are said to deliver a quicker response to driver inputs, improved accuracy, and a more natural steering feel.
The interior of the WRX has typically been a functional driver-oriented space, given the performance orientation of the model. However, buyers also expect a more premium feel these days and for the new generation, the interior designers have revamped the approach to meet that expectation.
The interior uses a black theme with contrast red stitching and carbonfibre pattern accents. The driver gets a flat-bottomed, leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated switches for audio, voice recognition, and Subaru’s EyeSight control (driver assistance technologies).
A new and prominent feature is the tablet-style high-definition Subaru STARLINK 11.6-inch centre information display. This allows the driver to manage entertainment and vehicle settings, and also interface with a smartphone using Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or Bluetooth.
The navigation system, which uses TomTom in America, has a split-screen display, a first for Subaru. The display can simultaneously show two types of information, such as navigation and audio, for improved user interaction. The 11.6-inch multimedia systems retain physical buttons and knobs for frequently used functions like volume and temperature, which is a more sensible approach than touchscreens.
Subaru has not indicated the pricing for the new WRX, but first deliveries won’t be starting till early next year anyway.
GoCar Malaysia, the on-demand car sharing platform which began in 2015, has added a sportscar category to its subscription programme, GoCar Subs. The programme is an alternative to the traditional car ownership model and avoids the hassle of long-term loans and other ownership concerns, especially significant depreciation costs.
To start off, the new category offers two Subaru sports models – the 200 bhp BRZ and 264 bhp WRX. Both are well known among enthusiasts and through GoCar, there is now an opportunity to ‘own’ them without being locked-in to long-term loan repayments and depreciation of the vehicle over time.
3 plans from 1 year to 3 years
Instead, customers can choose from three subscription plans – a 1-year package at RM3,299 per month; 2-year plan at RM2,999 per month; or 3-year plan at RM2,699 per month. Unlike a conventional hire-purchase (H-P) loan, a downpayment (which is usually quite high for such cars) is not required. Instead, GoCar Malaysia asks for a security deposit equivalent to 2 months’ subscription fees. As it is a deposit, it will be refundable at the end of the term.
The good thing about subscription plans is that all motoring costs are covered, except for fuel, parking charges, fines and other costs not related to the car. This means that there is no need to also pay for the roadtax, insurance, servicing costs and replacement of wear and tear parts. They are all covered in the monthly fee.
GoCar Malaysia’s subscrptions plans cover a wide range of models for different budgets, and the rates cover all motoring costs too.
Mileage limit applicable
There is, however, a special condition which would not be imposed if you took a H-P loan. One of them is a mileage limit of 1,650 kms a month or 19,800 kms a year. This may be okay for most people if the car is driven for leisure rather than daily commuting but if more mileage is needed, there is the option of extending it for RM300 a month for an additional 2,500 kms, or RM800 a month for unlimited mileage.
Should the car be driven into Singapore (when it is possible to do so), there will be a charge of RM8 a month. Driving a Malaysian-registered car in Singapore also means that the insurance coverage must include passenger liability and GoCar Malaysia offers this as an option.
‘One Price’ structure
With the addition of the new category, GoCar Subs now has 6 categories to meet the needs of a wide range of customers. Each category offers a streamlined ‘One Price’ structure ranging from RM799/month for the Econ category to RM2,299/month for the Luxe category and as mentioned earlier, RM2,699/month for the Sports category. Subscriptions plans are up to 36 months.
Besides the long-term plans, GoCar Malaysia also has short-term plans for those who just need a car or truck for a little while. Rates start from 17 sen a minute and depending on the plan taken, there can be a mileage limit or unlimited mileage, with no advance booking required. Return of vehicles can also be at any of the company’s locations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur or Penang (terms and conditions apply).
It’s very rare that true driver enthusiast movies actually do grace the silver screen. Movies like Bullitt, Vanishing Point and Gone in 60 Seconds (1974) were the select few where great emphasis was placed on realism when it came to the plot, cars and the driving physics. Their story lines may not have been nail-biting or edge of your seat stuff, but the action scenes, the screeching tyres, realistic collisions and spectacular explosions made them some of the all time best car movies.
These days thanks to CGI and over the top Hollywood gimmicks, most car movies lack the appeal of those from yesteryear. But every now and then, a true gem comes along worthy of being called “noteworthy” and one such movie is Baby Driver.
Slated for release towards the end of 2017, Baby Driver’s cast features some big time hollywood actors including Kevin Spacey and Jamie Foxx. The movie’s main protagonist is a young getaway driver, named Baby played by Ansel Elgort, who you may also know as the guy from the movie The Fault In Our Stars. Baby is part of a crew headed by Kevin Spacey, that go on carefully planned heists in the city.
Baby, despite his rather boyish demeanor, is a skilled driver of a Subaru Impreza WRX who is quite adept at handling high-speed getaways albeit the WRX’s driving dynamics did lend him a helping hand. Based on the trailer, and like a number of such movies, baby decides that after several missions, he no longer wants to be involved with this line of work. However, that is easier said than done as the team view him as a very valuable asset. Well, we aren’t going to ruin it for you, so take a look at the trailer and you be the judge.
But we think that the action sequences depicted in the trailer are pretty amazing and should make for one awesome movie when it is eventually released.
