Tuesday 4th October 2016

Subaru WRX S4 tS launched

Long live the Japanese Domestic Market CVT special!

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Remember the glory days of the JDM Subaru specials? Various Spec C, S202 and two-door rally replicas, usually with incredibly short gears, a super tough ride and one hell of an attitude. This one looks rather good, roof scoop and all.

Mmm, BBS

Subaru does still do it, in fact, with the S207, but now there's an S4 tS also. As you can probably tell by the lack of STI in the name, it's not quite as hardcore as the 207. Instead it takes inspiration from that car, building on the S4 base that Dan drove a couple of years back.

So yes, it's CVT only. And it's just the 300hp from the FA20 boxer. But there are some very interesting upgrades for this tS in that thorough (and quite nerdy) Japanese tradition.

Modifications to the intake and exhaust have enhanced "torque during acceleration" by 10 per cent, Bilstein Dampmatic dampers take on front suspension duties and new Brembo four-piston calipers are fitted up front.

It also looks pretty damn cool, helped largely by the 19-inch forged BBS wheels. See as well the new grille and front spoiler, "black side garnish" and revised rear bumper. Should the standard car not cut it, Subaru is also offering an 'NBR Challenge Package', which brings the carbon wing, an "exclusive" rear emblem and a suede steering wheel.

Boo, CVT

There's more too, including Recaro seats, a new exhaust and a host of STI tweaked parts: a 'flexible front tower bar', a 'flexible front draw stiffener' and a 'flexible rear support subframe'.

All this with a CVT gearbox. Shame. At least it's still available in WR Blue. The S4 tS is on sale now, priced at 4,968,000 yen (c.£38,000) for the standard car and 5,292,000 yen (c.£40,500) for the NBR including consumption tax.

 

[DBRacingGod]

A CVT-equipped, warmed-over Scooby - answering the question no-one asked.

[rtz62]

I've been lucky (?) enough t have owned 2, low-mileage 'Classic' Turbos and a mint, small low miles WR1.
And that's where my desire for an Impreza ended, with no desire to own any of the subsequent models.
In fact I'd go as far as to say that if I revisit the brand, it will only be to purchase another Classic or WR1; perhaps I am of a 'certain age' of men that were actually there on cold autumn or winter nights when McRae and Burns thundered through our forests in cars that looked similar to the ones we could buy....... Nostalgia is a wonderful thing.

[OwenK]

Does anyone know why Subaru is so obsessed with CVT? I have literally never heard of anybody considering them a selling point.

[cheesesliceking]

You miserable bds, forget the CVT, it has a 'flexible front draw stiffener', what more could you possibly ever want??

[Krikkit]

OwenK said:

Does anyone know why Subaru is so obsessed with CVT? I have literally never heard of anybody considering them a selling point.

Have a CVT in our current Outback and it's absolutely brilliant.

No way would I put one in a hot Impreza though!

[Dave Hedgehog]

cheesesliceking said:

You miserable bds, forget the CVT, it has a 'flexible front draw stiffener', what more could you possibly ever want??

i drove a ford with a cvt a long time ago, it was bloody horrible

[cailean]

Things have moved on since a long time ago...

The Subaru CVT is good, and most of the world think we are weird for like manuals stil

[anonymous-user]

No, CVT is never good. Making an engine sound like it's straining to st a gearbox like a constipated Transformer is not a positive attribute under any circumstance.

[redroadster]

Await a road test ,like the seats and interior rather have this than a diesel golf .

[steve1386]

janesmith1950 said:

No, CVT is never good. Making an engine sound like it's straining to st a gearbox like a constipated Transformer is not a positive attribute under any circumstance.

Absolutely...

Why on earth would you fit a car with that, when Ze Germans have been using DCT boxes for the last 12 years, which are infinitely better - especially on a performance car.

I would actually love a Lexus in the future, but would never have one as long as they continue to put those awful CVT systems in there!

[TurboHatchback]

cheesesliceking said:

You miserable bds, forget the CVT, it has a 'flexible front draw stiffener', what more could you possibly ever want??

I'm afraid the CVT precludes any stiffening in the front of my drawers from occurring. Also it should be blue.

[Scoobysaurus]

rtz62 said:

I've been lucky (?) enough t have owned 2, low-mileage 'Classic' Turbos and a mint, small low miles WR1.
And that's where my desire for an Impreza ended, with no desire to own any of the subsequent models.

Agree entirely, Subaru never made anything good enough to replace the Classic for me. It all went wrong in the UK for them as they tried to go more mainstream and broaden the appeal. The cars got heavier, no faster, the designs continued to be awful and other manufacturers caught up speed wise. Such a missed opportunity. In 95/96/97 these cars were so fast vs. almost anything else.

[Krikkit]

steve1386 said:

I would actually love a Lexus in the future, but would never have one as long as they continue to put those awful CVT systems in there!

A CVT might not make for an exciting drive, but they do make good cruisers imo.

[underphil]

Krikkit said:

A CVT might not make for an exciting drive, but they do make good cruisers imo.

but you still have to get the car moving from a standstill on a regular basis which is a hateful experience with a CVT