5 New Takeaways From The Next

The 2022 Subaru WRX was announced by Subaru Corporation in Japan this week with a few more details we picked up on about the new sports car. The new WRX arrived with mixed reviews from performance fans, but Scott Speed’s test drive in the video below reveals the driving performance gets ramped up.

A new complete inner frame construction

The all-new FA24 2.4-liter turbocharged engine is installed on the highly rigid body and chassis built on the new Subaru Global Platform. Subaru Japan reveals the next-generation 2022 WRX now comes with complete inner frame construction that significantly enhances vehicle responsiveness and ride comfort.

More torque at lower rpm

Even though the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine only produces three more horsepower than the outgoing FA20 2.0-liter Boxer, Scott Speed drove the 2022 WRX and says it has more torque and feels more even with a lower torque curve.

Subaru says the rigidity of the body and chassis has been further enhanced. As a result, it enables sharper handling and reduction of unpleasant vibrations and shaking. Speed says he could charge the corners “as much as he wanted,” and the 6-speed manual gearbox “shifts beautifully.”

New chassis geometry

The new sport-tuned WRX chassis geometry has been optimized so that the suspension can move more smoothly in response to input from the road surface. With a longer functional stroke compared to the previous model, the ground contact and stability are improved. It also contributes to ride comfort. Speed says he felt more connected to the road than the last generation WRX.

The new WRX gets a newly adopted dual-pinion electric power steering system with a separate axis for the motor assist and the driver’s input. It was designed to deliver a smoother, more responsive, and sportier steering feel. Speed says the steering is more responsive and feels more like a race car. Check out Scott Speed's video below.

The black wheel arch plastic serves a purpose

The black plastic trim pieces above the wheel arches that everyone dislikes have a purpose. Subaru says the “sport side garnishes” on the front, and rear fenders and the side sill spoilers feature a hexagon patterned aerodynamic texture that reduces air resistance. We aren’t sure how this works, but do you trust Subaru on this one?

The interior room is expanded

There’s more room inside the next-generation WRX. The new performance sedan’s shoulder room has been expanded, both front and rear, and more comfort for each passenger. In addition, the longer wheelbase compared to the previous WRX has brought expanded legroom in the back seat.

The jury is still out on the all-new sport-tuned 2022 Subaru WRX sedan. The exterior styling is not popular, but the all-new FA24 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine is a good upgrade and should make an ideal platform for power upgrades. Performance fans will decide after they see it, drive it, and put their modifications on it.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Subaru USA