Subaru reveals surprise WRX-GTB wagon
Friday, 15 October 2021
Subaru has confirmed the new WRX will get a wagon-shaped sibling when it launches here in April 2021.
Subaru says the WRX-GTB is a special model exclusive to the New Zealand and Australian markets, combining the performance of the WRX with the practicality of a station wagon. Sort of exactly like the Levorg did. And, of course, thiscar is still going to be called the Levorg in overseas markets, so really they’ve just renamed it for Australia and New Zealand because we couldn’t stop making the “Levorg is grovel spelt backwards” joke…
Power will come from the same turbocharged 2.4-litre boxer four as the WRX, making an identical 202kW. It’s paired with an ‘eight-speed’ Sport Lineartronic CVT without any mention of a manual. Naturally, symmetrical all-wheel drive is standard as well.
The CVT does mean the GTB will have EyeSight driver assist technology though, something manual WRX models are set to miss out on.
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Drive Mode Select is another feature new to the WRX twins, which will allow customisation of the electronically controlled dampers and steering, as well as the engine/transmission characteristics.
Like the WRX, the GTB rides on the Subaru Global Platform for the first time. Subaru says the rigidity of the body and chassis has been further enhanced, resulting in “sharper handling and reduction of unpleasant vibrations and shaking.”
“No one had a clue that New Zealand was getting this WRX-GTB wagon,” said Subaru New Zealand managing director, Wallis Dumper.
“Given all the pressure on car manufacturers to produce electric vehicles and our own patient wait for production details around Subaru’s new, all-electric Solterra, we were unsure if this latest generation WRX would actually arrive here.”
“When we replaced the Legacy GTB with the Levorg, although it was a great sports wagon and it sold well, many motoring industry commentators simply couldn’t adjust to its distinctive name.”
“Even though in 2021, the new Levorg won Japan Car of the Year and it has a 1.8-litre engine, not our grunty 2.4 version. However, we worked away diligently with Subaru Corporation to find something special to take on the performance wagon mantle.”
Wallis concluded with some fighting words: “The WRX-GTB will provide a best-value offering for those who are considering purchasing a performance AWD wagon. Realistically its rivals will probably be European and anything comparable will be over double the price.”