Subaru WRX GT

Subaru WRX GT

The fifth-generation Subaru WRX, codenamed VB and launched in 2022, arrived carrying enormous expectations and considerable controversy. Built on the Subaru Global Platform (SGP), the new WRX represented both a technological leap forward and a philosophical departure from the turbocharged rally-bred sedans that had built the nameplate's reputation.

The most significant change was under the hood. The venerable EJ-series turbo engine, in various forms the heart of every previous WRX and STI, was finally retired in favor of the FA24F — a 2.4-liter direct-injection turbocharged flat-four producing 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The FA24 was a fundamentally modern engine, with closed-deck construction, direct injection, and a twin-scroll turbocharger providing strong low-end response. While some enthusiasts mourned the EJ's distinctive rumble (the FA24's equal-length exhaust headers produced a smoother note), the new engine offered improved reliability, better fuel economy, and a broader torque curve.

The Subaru Global Platform brought significant improvements in structural rigidity — Subaru claimed a 28% increase in torsional stiffness over the previous generation. This translated to more precise handling responses, better NVH characteristics, and improved crash safety. The longer wheelbase and wider track provided greater stability at speed while the double wishbone rear suspension maintained the WRX tradition of sharp corner entry and progressive breakaway.

The 6-speed manual transmission remained standard on the GT trim, preserving the WRX's enthusiast credentials. A Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT) — a CVT with 8 virtual ratios and paddle shifters — was available as an option, representing a concession to modern market realities. The symmetrical AWD system continued to use a viscous coupling center differential on manual models, with an active torque split unit on CVT-equipped cars.

The styling proved divisive. The plastic lower body cladding, intended to provide a more rugged appearance and protect painted surfaces, drew criticism from enthusiasts who felt it cheapened the car's look. The overall design language, while more aggressive than the standard Impreza, was considered by many to be less cohesive than the previous generation.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of the VB WRX was the absence of an STI variant. For the first time in the WRX/STI lineage, Subaru chose not to develop a higher-performance STI version, citing the difficulty of meeting increasingly stringent emissions regulations with the traditional high-boost turbo formula. This decision made the WRX GT the de facto flagship of the range and lent it an unexpected significance as potentially the last traditional turbo flat-four WRX.