Tuesday 9th June 2015

Subaru WRX STI: PH Fleet

Back on the fleet and spoiling for a fight ... now, where's that Golf hiding?

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The much anticipated WRX STI versus Golf R PH Fleet showdown has been slightly postponed by a trip to the bodyshop for the former. It's back now though and both cars are headed off to Le Mans as part of a large and varied PH convoy comprising everything from diesel VW vans to V12-powered British supercars.

Hot Civic, big-winged Subaru - it's the 90s again!

It's not like the old days though and any thoughts of the Golf and Subaru having it out en route to Bleu Nord camping will have to be set aside, lest we want to leave either/both, large quantities of euros and our licences behind in France. For now they'll just have to stare moodily at each other in the car park.

I'm looking forward to a proper back to back drive in both though. My unofficial role as designated Golf R sceptic hasn't diminished one bit with some additional wheel time so I'm glad to have the WRX STI back. Just at a sensory level it's just so much more interesting to drive. Lord, a few weeks off had made me forget quite how fiercely sprung and aggressively pointy it is though! It bobs along at low speed, evening out with a few more mph on the clock. And, if harsh, the well-matched spring-damper rates mean the ride is at least fair. And the bassy burble doesn't need any help from the speakers either.

I'm going to return to this theme in more detail shortly as it's something much discussed off our recent drive in the Civic Type R. But I like the fact the Japanese are returning to making their performance cars look properly bonkers. Much of the debate about the Civic, and formerly about the Subaru, is the 'what would the neighbours say' messages given off by their unapologetic looks. Sod what the neighbours say. Maybe I'm a little immature but it feels to me like another raised middle finger to the conservative Germans.

How much is a wrap these days?

To that end I've been looking enviously at the N24-spec WRX STI that took a dominant class win in the SP3 T (2,000cc turbocharged) class in the Nurburgring 24-hour. Now, I'm not going to go full 90s Subaru fanboy and request a team wrap and decal set, topped off with some additional aero. I wouldn't call my car underwinged or understated.

But having seen the car at Geneva and then some pics of it in action I wonder if there's room for an extra rude WRX STI, picking up from the rally inspired Spec Cs and Type RAs of old but taking an N24-inspired track focus. It looks ace for starters and there's that pending 400hp Golf R to see off. And is properly rapid, scoring 18th overall with all the cars ahead of it FIA GT3-spec SP9 (Black Falcon Porsche and Gazoo Lexus LFA excepted). All but one of the next 10 cars behind it were 911s of various flavours too. Speed limits or not that's an impressive result.

So yes. The rally glory days may have passed. But there's something to celebrate there. Never mind the Golf R, it's a proven 911 beater too!

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FACT SHEET
Car: 2014 Subaru WRX STI
Run by: Dan
On fleet since: December 2014
Mileage: 8,207
List price new: £28,995 (£30,007 as tested including £1,012 for Pioneer touchscreen navigation unit; c. £75 fitting charge applicable but varies according to dealership)
Last month at a glance: Back from the bodyshop, ready to show the Golf R who's boss

Previous updates:
New arrival - the NotImpreza has landed!
Rusty nail plays Scrooge over a white Christmas
Four wheels back on his wagon, Dan's having fun
Busy month for the Subaru in first of showdowns against German rivals
Another German rival taken on

[BlackPorker]

I hate Golf Rs too. They are generally driven by bellends these days.

[Ali_T]

Glad I'm not the only one that found the Golf R as interesting as unflavoured porridge. VW have made a competent car go very fast but they seem to have missed the "character" and "fun" parts off the option list. If you want a Golf, buy a GTI.

As for the STI. If they allowed the wing to be deleted and fit the new 2.0 from the BRZ in STI guise, I'll be interested again. I'm too old for stupid rear wings and the EJ25 has a shocking reliability record.

[manjbains]

I live in Bilston, West Midlands and very surprised how many Golf R's are on the road. There is a white one in my estate and seen 3 others in the Dudley/Tipton area recently. Why spend £30,000 plus on a Golf? It is true they all drive like maniacs.

[AdamBingley]

Unfortunately I have to agree, I'm a Golf R7 owner and it has everything for me except character.

Its more of a blunt tool, but its perfect for commuting & daily driving it was also exceptional in the snow on standard tires.

ITs not slow by all means it just doesnt excite.

[Deadlysub]

I also found the Glof R a bit of a blunt tool yes it's fast (it didn't feel under 5 seconds to 60 fast) but I found it a tad boring and a little to easy to drive quick

[redroadster]

They could easily do a 500 bhp version the tuners have proved its an easy figue and would put the hot hatches in there place !

[Baryonyx]

The Golf R is just bland to look at, in comparison this thing looks exciting even just sitting still. It certainly harkens a better age when there were more edgy performance cars like Imprezas on the road.

[nickofh]

A genuinely impressive result on the NBR 24h , 18th out of 151 ( I think ) with some impressive motors surrounding it. They came top of their group by quite a margin too. They are having success in rally America and I think most were impressed by the Isle of Man TT time too.

I was saying in the Subaru section I think they should be shouting about their motorsport success's a little more in the UK as it was seeing McRae in his WRC Car that introduced me to the brand as a lifelong fan and owner.

[loudlashadjuster]

Eight comments in and no less than six focus on Volkswagens?!

Show me where on the doll the Golf touched you.

[Quickmoose]

I think Japanese performance cars can look properly bonkers, raise a middle finger to the neighbours AND look good though....Honda have failed, Subaru can capitalise here I reckon.
Golf R doesn't figure in my future garage....on any level.

[Bailey93]

I drove a friends audi rs3 recently fantasically quick off the line with launch control, but it understeers like a bh which makes it so dull to drive

[Ali_T]

redroadster said:

They could easily do a 500 bhp version the tuners have proved its an easy figue and would put the hot hatches in there place !

Not easily with the EJ25 and provide a warranty. Even the CS400 had the most ridiculous warranty exclusions and that cost £50k. Who'd buy a £60k Subaru?

[beckham]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/2.gif

[anonymous-user]

BlackPorker said:

I hate Golf Rs too. They are generally driven by bellends these days.

Golf R
Fiesta ST
Audi S1 and the new A AMG

Always tend to be driven by cocks.

Subaru isn't as popular these days so they tend to be driven by the 'purist'