Pre-orders now open for the next generation 2022 Subaru WRX

The new era of WRX has dawned and Subaru of New Zealand has launched pre-orders for the heartbeat-quickening, fifth generation, all-new WRX range today.

The 2022 Subaru WRX shipment is destined for New Zealand shores and ahead of its arrival next month, the Kiwi adventure brand can reveal the model line-up, pricing and some specification highlights.

The question on everyone’s lips is: “What’s it going to cost?” And the answer is that this next-level WRX range - built on three decades of innovation - will be priced from $59,990 RRP.*

As previously revealed, the new generation WRX has been designed to regenerate desire - with the launch of two, distinctly different body styles. A wide-bodied dynamic new sedan, the WRX 2.4T and the highly anticipated, sleek and sophisticated WRX GT wagon.

Subaru of New Zealand Managing Director, Wallis Dumper, is excited about the 2022 model, and says it is on an elevated playing field compared to its predecessor. 

“When creating the 2022 WRX, Subaru’s engineers threw in everything from the tried and proven recipe of the last 30 years, including ultimate traction and handling thanks to Subaru’s All-Wheel Drive, the Boxer engine and aggressive styling. Then they’ve spiced it up with the addition of modern-day technological advancements, such as, the Driver Monitoring System and Drive Mode Select.”

“We are pleased to no longer keep the many Kiwis in suspense – some of whom have been anticipating the new model for more than six months and registered to be kept informed on subaru.co.nz when the WRX announcement was first revealed,” Mr Dumper adds.

The WRX sedan comes with the choice of two transmissions. A smooth and direct close-ratio 6-speed manual, available exclusively to the 2.4T Premium sedan, and the new automatic 8-speed Subaru Performance Transmission, which is standard in both the sedan and wagon models.

Subaru Performance Transmission is a newly developed Sport Lineatronic gearbox and offers automatic downshift blipping control for engaging performance and an 8-speed manual mode with its advanced shift logic taking WRX to the next level.

First launched in 1992, the WRX has become synonymous with Subaru’s performance offerings and tearing up New Zealand’s gravel roads. Globally and on home turf a whole generation of Subaru rally fans adored the blue and gold livery, and Kiwis Possum Bourne and more recently Ben Hunt, secured multiple championship titles across Australasia pedalling WRXs.

WRX’s regal motorsport lineage has been handed down to this latest generation and augmented by a new, completely revised, powerful and responsive Subaru 2.4-litre turbocharged, horizontally opposed Boxer engine. It delivers enhanced performance across the range, equating to an exhilarating 202 kilowatts of power at 5600rpm and 350 newton metres of torque from 2,000 – 5,200rpm (or 270 horsepower, if you’re traditionally-minded).

All WRXs feature dual zone climate control air conditioning, a D-shaped leather steering wheel and leather gear shift.

Every WRX features sports bucket seats (driver and front passenger) which keep the driver’s body firmly in place, with controls within reach and eliminating the need to re-centre the body.

The Premium sedan and wagon variants have all the previous generation WRX’s favoured features, such as, satellite navigation and Eyesight, plus some cool new additions including:

• 11.6” touchscreen infotainment system with vertical orientation, allowing intuitive operation similar to a smartphone or tablet.
• Driver Monitoring System (DMS), with safety and convenience technologies such as facial recognition, distraction warning and drowsiness warning.
• 8-airbags.
• Reverse Automatic Braking.
• Power tail gate for the wagon.
• Gripper ultra-suede trim in the sedan and leather in the wagon.
   

The all-new top of the range tS models have everything the Premium range does, and more, including:

• Both sedan and wagon models receive electronic control dampers and Drive Mode Select, allowing drivers to customise key aspects of the driving experience. Electronic control dampers add increased comfort and handling, by varying damper characteristics based on vehicle data input.
• STI branding on the steering wheel and instrument cluster and the tS wagon also adds STI branded front seats and tail pipes.
• Both models feature machine-finished 18” alloy wheels and ultra-suede trim.

The move to the Subaru Global Platform enables greater stability and directional control to offer safer cornering at higher limits. WRX’s new body has approximately a 14% increase in front lateral flexural rigidity and an approximately 28% increase in chassis torsional rigidity compared to the previous generation WRX sedan.

Mr Dumper is eagerly anticipating the imminent arrival of the 2022 WRX but wants to firstly acknowledge the elephant in the room.

“We realise that the recently announced news that there will not be an STI model included with this new generation WRX, will be disappointing for many passionate Subaru performance car enthusiasts. However, we still retain flashes of STI’s brilliance through the tS model sporting STI branding on the steering wheel and instrument cluster and the tS wagon also featuring STI branded front seats and tail pipes,” he says.

“We trust that the long-awaited increase in the all-new WRX’s power will be well-received by Subaru drivers who have been calling for more grunt!”

There’s much to love about the next generation 2022 WRX and the up-spec’d sedan and wagon simply augment its already long-held performance reputation.

In true Subaru NZ pricing tradition, the new WRX remains an affordable and accessible performance vehicle for Kiwi drivers. Keeping it simple, you can buy a 2022 WRX Premium wagon or sedan, in either manual or automatic, and the Recommended Retail Price of $59,990 is the same across the board.

The top spec tS variants make their debut in the WRX range and the sedan and wagon are both priced at $64,990.
 

WRX RANGE MY22 PRICING*

In the meantime, our 17 Subaru Authorised Centres are taking pre-orders now and Mr Dumper strongly suggests pre-ordering to avoid disappointment.

“With all that’s happening around the world we will have limited supply, so we urge you to get in touch with your Subaru Authorised Centre to secure your next generation WRX,” he says.

Branded with the three letters that elevate any performance driver’s heart rate, the next generation W-R-X offers a bold new design, two distinct body styles and a host of performance-oriented features. This Subaru icon is destined to lift the bar even higher.

*2022 WRX 2.4T Premium Manual, WRX 2.4T Premium Subaru Performance Transmission (Auto) and WRX GT Premium Wagon Subaru Performance Transmission (Auto) Recommended Retail Price (RRP) is $59,990. WRX 2.4T tS (sedan) and WRX GT tS (wagon) RRP is $64,990. RRPs include GST, and exclude on-road costs and accessories. Pre-orders at Authorised Subaru Centres only. EyeSight® technology available in automatic transmission only. Some features only available on tS models. RRP excludes the NZ Government Clean Car Programme (CCP) fee. The CCP is a Government-mandated fee that applies to certain vehicle models, and is subject to change at any time. The indicative fee as indicated by the NZTA government website advises that the fee for the new generation WRX2.4T will be $1,380 for the Subaru Performance Transmission 8 speed Auto (Sedan and GT Wagon) and $3,737 for the 6 Speed manual transmission WRX 2.4T sedan. The final fee will be advised prior to the vehicle delivery, and the rate at that time will apply to the purchase.
 

**Overseas model shown in all accompanying images.