Top 3 safety features on a Subaru WRX
There is no denying that Subaru has a strong heritage in motorsport, more particularly WRC. But if a vehicle incorporates high-speed capabilities, along with it should feature safety features and the WRX offers just that. Here are the top three safety features on a Subaru WRX.
The current and fifth-generation, Subaru WRX was introduced in 2014 and offer customers a chance to own and experience the recipe which garnered them much success in the World Rally Championship. Hidden under the sedan body style are an all-wheel-drive system and a turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine. If you were to purchase a Subaru WRX, you will have to choose between three derivatives namely Premium, ES Premium and STi Premium.
Related: Which Subaru WRX trim depreciates the fastest?
While the 2.0-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder boxer motor in the ES Premium and Premium variants produce 197 kW and 350 Nm of torque. The flagship model, STi Premium, comes fitted with a 2.5-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder boxer engine capable of 221 kW and 407 Nm of torque. As alluded to earlier, there is no question of the performance prowess the Subaru WRX possesses, in this article rather, we are focussing on safety features and here are the top three.
1. EyeSight
What few might know is that many of Subaru's vehicles regularly score quite high during crash tests at independent rating agencies across the globe, however, the fight for improved safety in vehicles is an endless pursuit. This is reflected in the enhancements made to the 2019 update of the Subaru WRX range.
One of the larger improvements were made to the EyeSight system which is now in its third generation. The system employs multiple stereo cameras to assist the driver in monitoring other vehicles on the road as well as the driver's behaviour. The system acts to mitigate collisions. The system and its actions are integrated into the standard Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Departure and Lane Sway Warning systems.
The system also bolsters the effectiveness of the hill-start assist system or as it is known in the Subaru, Auto Vehicle Hold (AVH) function. In addition to just holding the vehicle in place on inclines, the vehicle is now held in place at traffic lights and intersections until it is safe.
2. Vehicle dynamics
Electronic stability control systems are not a new technology but are one of those areas in which improvements can be made as technology progress. This rings true in the case of the Subaru WRX too as the latest iterations not only see the standard fitment of the Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control system but an even more advance version of the system.
The electronic stability control system utilizes the symmetrical full-time all-wheel-drive system to increase traction levels and ultimately improve the WRX's road holding.
3. Crash structure
While most vehicle buyers will only count airbags, seven in the case of the WRX range, to formulate whether the vehicle has a high occupant safety rating. Few take into consideration the advance structures incorporated into the construction of the vehicle. These structures do not only perform the function of holding body panels or drivetrain components in place but also help absorb and redirect collision impact forces away from the occupant cabin.
In the current WRX, Subaru has improved the front end crash structure through advanced production methods. This structure is now capable of absorbing and redirecting impacts at a higher efficiency rate and as a result, is better for safety performance in frontal collisions. If you want to see it in action, just take a look at the following video.
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