New Car: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX


“Wider is better.” It’s best remembered as a tagline used over the decades by Pontiac, but Subaru might want to see if GM’s willing to give up the trademark. That’s because the Japanese company plans to debut a revised 2011 Impreza WRX with an increased track and wide-body sheetmetal lifted straight from its STI big brother. The official unveil will happen at the New York auto show.

The 2011 WRX’s newly flared fenders will cover a 1.5-inch increase in front and rear track, in addition to a set of wider 17-inch wheels that should deliver improved grip. (The current 17s are seven inches wide; the new wheels will wear 235/45 rubber versus the previous model’s 225/45s.) The ’11 Rex also will get firmer rear subframe bushings to handle the increased g’s that come with added grip. Just 33 pounds are gained in the make-over, which comes on the heels of a pretty thorough sharpening for 2009.

Aside from the visual cues mentioned above, new WRX models will feature restyled bumpers and grilles that swallow more air, as well as newly blacked-out fog lights that are wider—it’s better!—than before.

Thanks to: Car and Driver