Friday, July 2, 2021 « the western weekender
AUTO
A new slice of history 50,000th WRX sold as the iconic car prepares for an exciting new look NATHAN TAYLOR
S
ubaru’s WRX, the car that established the “pocket rocket” club and a fan following the envy of many, has set a new sales record in Australia, passing the 50,000 total. Launched locally in 1994, the turbocharged All-Wheel Drive affectionately know as “Rex”, stunned early adopters with its ideal balance of adrenaline pumping fun, all-paw ability and engineering quality. Now in the twilight of its fourth generation, WRX continues to appeal to a loyal audience that is eagerly awaiting the unveil of the new model during 2021. WRX is a cornerstone of Subaru’s performance stable that includes its even more potent cousin, the rally-bred WRX STI, and the BRZ coupe. The 50,000th WRX customer was Queenslander Mark Biegel, who bought his WRX Premium from Llewellyn Subaru in Booval. To mark the occasion, Mark received a free five-year service plan, and accessories to the value of $5,000.
ES T. 19 88 FA M ILY BU SI NE SS
A bold new era awaits for the Subaru WRX.
Originally tagged Impreza WRX, as the range-topping variant of the Impreza small car range, Subaru in Japan separated it from the Impreza nameplate in 2014, an acknowledgment of a different development path for the brand’s performance models. The same year, the choice of an automatic
transmission became an ongoing option, further expanding the Rex audience. Second generation Impreza WRX launched in 2000, with the so-called “bugeye” headlights that polarised opinion, but its capability was undiminished – it contributed to the Impreza range winning the 2000 Wheels Car of the Year award.
• PROFESSIONAL & FRIENDLY • MULTI-AWARD-WINNING BUSINESS
• SERVICING, REPAIRS, REGO’S, BABY SEAT INSTALLATION
• COMPLIMENTARY/FREE HAND CAR WASH, COURTESY CAR & PICK-UP AND DROPOFF AVAILABLE WITH EVERY SERVICE
WW45411
52
WWW.ANGUSCARSERVICE.COM.AU PH 47323 676 | ONLINE BOOKING AVAILABLE
WW45030
JULY OFFER FREE WASH, VACUUM & CLEAN WITH EVERY SERVICE MENTION CODE WORD “FERRARI”
Such was the car’s appeal that it even justified its own Impreza WRX Festival, hosted in Canberra over three years from 2000, coinciding with the rally of Canberra. Third generation Impreza WRX arrived in 2007 with a weight loss of 35kg, adding more potency. “We often talk in the automotive industry about ‘halo’ cars – those that attract offthe-scale interest. WRX is a prime example and played no small part in Subaru’s massive Australian growth in the 1990s,” Subaru Australia General Manager, Blair Read said. “Its early relatively unassuming appearance – but for the giveaway ‘letter box’ on the bonnet – belied a package that won converts at a massive rate. “Not only did it switch many thousands of people on to Subaru, it established a trend that many tried to follow but few got near. “Current generation Rex is our biggest seller to date and the fact that there are WRX Clubs meeting regularly across Australia is proof of its enduring appeal. “We can’t wait to share details of the fifth generation during the year.”
