Shifting Becomes Variable For 2015 Subaru WRX
by
TTAC Staff
Published: November 15th, 2013
Share
While those who opt for the upcoming 2015 Subaru WRX STi can still row their own, those who prefer to let the transmission do the work may (or may not) be disappointed to find a CVT in their new WRX.
In a leaked dealer document, customers who opt for either the WRX Premium standard model or the Limited with or without the sat nav/Harmon Kardon audio/keyless access triad can either row their own through a six-speed manual or Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT.
Sending the power through the CVT will be a turbocharged 2-liter flat-four, while the STi will utilize a 2.5-liter turbo flat-four and, for those who choose it, launch control.
More details to come when the WRX makes its debut at the LA Auto Show next week.
More by TTAC Staff
Comments
Join the conversation
LOL... fun!!! I hope that the pasta taught you a lesson. It turns to sugar you know? Pleaant dreams from here on out and please stay off the pasta, OK? I can see that you are the kind of people that I want on my highway.
"It turns to sugar you know?" It was harder to give up pasta than red meat. I allow myself two big cheats per month.
This is so non-news. Only recently (since 09) did Subaru cancel the auto-box WRX option. Now they are bringing it back, becuase they already make the power train for use in the Forester her in the US, so why not offer it even as a slow selling model. Most will still be bought with the stick as it has always been.
The gear spread of a ZF auto is nearly 10 - and the 0-60 times are as fast if not faster then a 6 speed manual. So while you might like your cvt - they aren't performing as well in the real world from a performance perspective. Perhaps you aren't that sensitive to it - but because of the way CVTs work they get 'stuck' in gears. While they are continuously variable - they are not instantly variable. When going from high to low or low to high they pass through all the gears in between. An auto/manual or DCT will kick down. It's not something I am 'getting' IT'S HOW THEY WORK. An manual transmission or a torque converter automatic can switch gears and skip gears. CVTs do not. So if you are accelerating very quickly and they let off the accelerator it takes the CVT some time to 'figure this out' and some additional time to slide over to the higher gear. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ2kp5YOXHA Look at this video and try to understand how CVTs work. And then you will understand that despite what you THINK I am right. The lag might be small enough to not be noticed by you - but people who have experienced cars with very good modern transmissions like say a Porsche PDK can notice it right away.