2009 Subaru WRX Sedan & Hatch
October 9, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Subaru’s new 2009 Impreza WRX has made its inaugural appearance at AIMS.
Boasting 26kw more power and 23Nm more torque, the 2009 WRX also features uprgraded suspension and better fuel efficiency than the existing 2008 (hatch) model.
Model Year 2009 Impreza WRX sedan and hatch will be available by early December with a larger turbocharger and increased boost, plus the options of leather trim with sunroof, and satellite navigation.
In addition to the power and torque enhancements, all Impreza WRX versions will share the new suspension package, producing even sharper, aggressive handling. It will feature increased spring and damping rates, and thickened stabilizer bars as well as cosmetic changes including a new mesh grille and badge, distinctive red brake calipers and wider tyres. Inside, red stitch seating will add to the sporty appearance.
MY09 Impreza WRX will produce 195kW @ 6000 rpm and 343Nm @ 4000 rpm, while fuel consumption is improved in the combined cycle from 10.7 l/100km to 10.4 l/100km. Carbondioxide emissions are down from 252 g/km to 247 g/km.
Recommended Retail Pricing is maintained at MY08 levels – both hatch and the newly introduced sedan will start from $39,990 (RRP).
Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said “This latest model year Impreza WRX is a step change.
“We’re not only introducing big power and torque increases, we’ve dramatically sharpened handling too.
“We’ve spent a lot of time with the engineers on Australian roads and in local conditions, developing a suspension package that appeals to the driving enthusiast.
“The result is an Impreza WRX that is true to our core Subaru DNA, of delivering pure driving confidence.”
He added “Drivability of Impreza WRX is sharper and, combined with the power and torque benefits, this is a compelling, aggressive package.
“For the first time we’re also offering a leather trim with sunroof option as part of the regular Impreza WRX line-up, addressing clear customer demand seen in our retail network.
“The extra power, torque, upgraded suspension and other refinements on entry-level Impreza WRX will come at no extra cost.
“Equivalent sedan and hatch pricing will also be identical, making it a straight choice for customers between body styles.”
Tech Talk:Intercooler capacity is up to 14.0 kW, from 12.1 kW in the MY08 model, while the bigger turbocharger sees maximum boost increased from 78 kPa to 103 kPa. A revised exhaust system provides a 30 per cent reduction in gas flow restriction, to match the new turbocharger performance and increase engine power.
Significant suspension testing was conducted in Australia and Japan to tune suspension settings for local conditions. MY09 Impreza WRX is biased towards sports handling, while retaining good ride comfort, grip and stability when driven enthusiastically.
The coil springs, stabilizers and top mounts are stiffened and roll rigidity increased to improve maximum lateral G and turning ability. Fine tuning of the damping forces in the shock absorbers provides linear response with minimal delay when steering.
Improved shift feel is achieved in the transmission through use of a ball type key for the first and second gear synchro hubs and a change to the key groove on third and fourth synchro sleeve.
Hardened materials are used for the main shaft and first driven gear, while operation of the clutch slave cylinder now incorporates an orifice valve to protect the drivetrain during rapid clutch engagement.
A damper valve is added to the steering gearbox to reduce kickback, particularly when cornering on rough roads.
Wheels and tyres were chosen to complement the suspension springs, damping and bushing, to ensure optimum grip and ride comfort.
The tyres also optimize the balance of dry and wet weather grip, steering response, NVH levels and ride comfort. Rolling resistance and stopping distance are also reduced.
Tyres are increased in width to 225/45 from 205/50, benefitting grip and handling performance to match the more aggressive sports suspension setting. MY09 Impreza WRX is fitted with Dunlop SP Sport 01 225/45R17 tyres and 17 x 7 JJ alloy wheels.
In line with Subaru’s safety commitment, Impreza WRX sedan maintains the five-star rating for occupant safety from the independent Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). All Imprezas also share the highest four-star rating for pedestrian safety.
With the imminent introduction of Model Year 2009 Liberty and Outback, every Subaru will have standard electronic stability control. The Subaru retail network is now taking orders for MY09 Impreza WRX.
Impreza WRX MY09 Recommended Retail Pricing:
- Impreza WRX sedan & hatch $39,990
- Impreza WRX sedan & hatch with leather trim and sunroof $42,490
- Impreza WRX sedan & hatch with Sat Nav $42,980
- Impreza WRX sedan & hatch with Sat Nav, leather and sunroof $45,480
Print it: 
so MY08’s for 25K now ?
Moral of the story, never buy a first release of a car!
Subaru’s getting close to Mazda-MPS-like power levels now. Torque is still a bit off though. I guess this is their answer to the success of the GTi
Now all they have to do is fix the boring front styling with something tastefull but exciting.
Said it before, and I still haven’t changed my mind, these Impreza sedans are just plain ugly. They just don’t seem to gel at all in their shape.
It is just so dam ugly.
My wife thought it looked good when she saw it on Sunrise this morning.
I bet Subaru hopes they can find more people like my wife to buy these.
I think it looks okay, boot could be longer though, but otherwise, as a package its good, very good.
I prefer the RS sedan over the RS Hatch.. but this WRX sedan is just… worse than the RS IMO..
WRX Hatch MY08 169kw 0-100 =5.8
Mazda MPS 190kw 0-100 =6.1
Golf GTI 147kw 0-100 =7.2
The MY09 sed will have to be quicker(not on file yet)
I think I will stick with my MY08 STI
221kw 0-100 =5.2
Well I must admit I wasn’t a fan when it was first released but the hatch has grown on me. The sedan still doesn’t do it for me and the back end looks like a cheap Korean rip off.
Those are some serious power levels though and combined with the new suspension package and the 4WD system the car seems a bargain for under 40grand.
My guess would be 0-100 mid 5’s.
Steve,
interesting figures, depends on what people value I guess. Some like 1/4 mile times and punishing AWD clutches and gearboxes, some value the \”feel\”.
I know I will sound like Glen Ridge when I say this… Ive driven all 3 cars and each is amazing in its own way. I would take any one of em.
Subey realises that the GTi is nipping at their heels and is likely more popular these days?. Their response is to increase the power to give them a point of differentiation and bragging rights to draw the punters back in.
I would rather subaru fix their crook styling and nasty korean-like fascia dials and interiors
Strange Subaru Aus hasnt decided to bring out the Auto version (now known as the Impreza GT in US/Canada)
Maybe for the 2010 facelift model they will bring a dual clutch auto?
looks horrible….
the problem wif them is that they kept recycling, touching up the old design that was working for them earlier…
they should just take the risk and come up with a new design….
take a lesson from Mitsu Lancer. fresh look from the 07 model….
Yep where is CVT option ?
Subaru have lost the plot bigtime
The current Subaru Impreza is so ugly I don’t know where to start…. Oh well how about that stupid little cargo window? it’s a good a place as any I guess
Unfortunately the Impreza has lost so much of its character and appeal such as its flared guards and californian doors – all in an attempt to ditch its boy racer image.
Yet all it will do is make so many subie owners switch over to an EVO
C’mon Subaru get real.. If there are those who want a Subie but don’t like the boy racer image tell them to buy a Liberty.. leave the Rex alone
I just want to know something, do any of you own a 08 WRX??? If not, I really wouldn’t say anything, you may not like the looks, but it really isn’t that much different than the 06 WRX I owned. The suspension is a little more forgiving than the earlier model, but for everyday driving it isn’t such a bad idea. The 08 WRX actually has been found to be underrated for it’s horsepower and torque. Perrin performance found the 08 WRX to be putting out 226 hp and 242 ft lb of torque to the wheels in stock form. I bought the Cobb Accessport with Perrins program added and the hp was rated at 245 hp and 300 ft lb of torque, with the Perrin programmer added. For $695.00 added to the price of my 08 WRX $24500.00 it’s really not a bad value. If you don’t believe me read the Perrin research yourself !!!!!
I’ve waiting for the local Subaru dealers to give info on the delivery times etc.. for the MY09 wrx, however none of them want to talk about the 09 car’s. My guess is they still have 08 wrx’s in their yards… So, ive now decided to look at other cars including the SS and XR8’s utes – ive got finance ready and need to purchase a car before the end of the year. Owell looks like they missed another sale…
I can say that they are NOT taking orders for 09 wrx’s – because they cant give away the 08’s at the moment.
hey fellas iv got a myo8 wrx hatch n love it so much better than the ugly sedans alot better front end looking. alot more modern not as mean but still hot 08 ss ute had only JUST beat me.
wowwww, i was so close to gettin the mazda 3 mps but thankfully wrx sedan came out. subaru claims this rexi will do 0-100 in 5.3 seconds, and 08 wrx sti does it in 5.2 so i guess its just as quick and it s a hatchback, sorry mazda 3 mps, this rexi will eat you. maybe not from 80-120km/h , well mazda 3 mps rollomg acceleration is only beaten by the latest 317 kws GTS, and audi rS4, as far as v8 are concerned, i am not sure if its faster then STI in rolling
I am a proud MY08 WRX owner, and to be honest I am sick of all the bad stuff people are saying about it. Ok I’m a little older, but You can’t honestly tell me the 06/07 WRX looked any good. Hell thouse bug eye’s and the rear end that looked like the designer had a bad night on the piss. I owned a 97 WRX and liked it but found it a little under done. The 08 modle is a heaps better car, and I like the handling, it’s a great smoth ride and will still out handle most other cars in it’s class. Ok lets talk power. MY08 delivers its max kw and NM much lower in the rev range which is great giving it very impressive low and up top power, if I were to be honest I would say it suffers mid range. I’ve done a lot of research on this modle and have increased boost by 2.5psi and have done nothing else. Results have been outstanding, solving the waistgate leakage problem all wrx’s have and giving it a good lick in the pants. I love the 09 modle and will most likley buy new again in 2011. So come on people if you havent driven the 08 modle make comments on somthing you do know about, like your mums commodore.
First off all, real cars, don’t have CVT transmissions. Period. Secondly, the lancer GSR thing is shit. Its an auto which does 0-100 in 7 secs.
The rexy, as usual, will smash it to 100, the quarter mile, and in looks. PS I ordered a MY09 (with my mY08 as a trade in)
Boxer all day.
I just wish they’d bring back the styling of the ‘98/99 era WRX with updated performance. That era was definitely when the Rex looked her best.
If they sort it out the styling, I’ll be back in a flash.