On the day Honda Cars Philippines opened the Civic Type R order books, sources within Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive distributor of Subaru in the Philippines, say that the 2018 WRX and WRX STI will be dropping in even sooner than Honda’s much hyped hot hatch.
While Honda has officially stated that Civic Type R deliveries start in September, our sources reveal that the 2018 WRX and WRX STI will arrive a week earlier, with the first shipment due to land in the Philippines by the last week of August. Given the necessary prep time, customer deliveries of Subaru’s sports sedan siblings will commence by the first half of September probably stealing some of Honda’s thunder in the process.
The 2018 WRX and WRX STI feature a revised front end with a more prominent hexagonal upper grille and larger lower grille opening. On either side are redesigned headlights equipped with Steering Responsive LEDs on all but the WRX M/T variant which continues on with halogens. Surprisingly, Subaru is opting to keep the wheel sizes the same for 2018 with 245/40 R 18 tires on both the WRX and WRX STI.
Inside, the 2018 models get a slew of interior enhancements that include new door switch paneling, rear seat armrests with cup holders, and tweaked interior door grips. All models also benefit from a snappier 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with voice command and Bluetooth hands-free (no GPS navigation though). Both WRX and WRX STI also get new two-tone black/red bucket seats with the WRX M/T getting it in fabric while the WRX CVT getting it in leather. The WRX STI ups that with a leather/suede combination. And like before, the WRX CVT and WRX STI Premium both offer power adjustment for the driver.
In terms of convenience features, the WRX gets a single-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic headlights. The WRX CVT adds a keyless access system with push-button start/stop and PIN code access. The WRX STI adds dual zone climate control too.
Under the hood, the 2018 WRX and WRX STI remain unchanged with the WRX getting the FA20DIT good for 268 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque at 2,400-5,200 rpm. Meanwhile, the WRX STI keeps its tried-and-tested EJ25 with 300 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 407 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The WRX is available in both 6-speed M/T (with an improved synchro design) and CVT flavors while the WRX STI is exclusively a stick shift affair with 6 forward gears.
While the engines are carryover, these two models both benefit from various handling tweaks. The WRX gets a recalibrated electric power steering system that’s lighter and provides a “smoother and more natural feeling.” The biggest change happens on the WRX STI. For 2018, the Driver’s Control Center Differential (DCCD) has been changed from a mechanical/electronic hybrid set-up for its limited slip differential to a fully electronic one for quicker responses. The WRX STI also gets beefier Brembo brakes with 6-pot calipers up front and 2-pot calipers at the back.
In terms of safety, both the WRX and WRX STI continue with a complete suite of airbags, ABS with EBD, Hill Start Assist, Active Torque Vectoring, and Vehicle Dynamics Control. New for 2018 is the introduction of Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection (SRVD) aka blind spot indicators and High Beam Assist on the WRX CVT and WRX STI models.
Currently, Subaru has yet to announce the official pricing of the 2018 WRX and WRX STI, but sources say that it will be in the same ballpark as the current model: P 1,818,000 WRX M/T; P 1,888,000 WRX CVT; P 2,498,000 WRX STI; and P 2,598,000 WRX STI Premium.
În terms of after-sales service, honda seems the better choice...
ReplyDeleteIf considering only dealership after-sales services, we have a better experience with Subaru compared to Honda. You can bring your preferred fluids and parts in Subaru local dealerships and they will just bill you the service fee plus a small amount for corkage. You cannot do that in local Honda dealerships. Also, most Subaru dealerships don't mind if you have your car's ECU updated from a custom tuning shop as long as you tell them so that they will know not to mess with your preferred tune.
Delete^Your words of encouragement isn't quite reassuring considering your subaru's dealerships isn't far reaching compared to hcpi's.
DeleteSubaru parts are really expensive that's why resale values are much lower
DeleteSubaru units are made in Japan, they are also less common that your usual pickups or PPV SUV's that are made in thailand or indonesia or in the PH. that's why their parts are expensive
DeleteI think Subaru parts are not much of a problem to those that can afford a WRX. Of course before buying, they would have considered all of the expenses after buying it. Why buy a car that will give you a headache afterwards?
Delete"Subaru units are made in Japan, they are also less common that your usual pickups or PPV SUV's that are made in thailand or indonesia or in the PH. that's why their parts are expensive"
Deletelast I heard those new civics will be made in japan too. we are not dealing with PPVs here, its about the WRX and the type R. and i agree that service between honda and subaru is far and wide in favor of honda. less dealerships/service centers mean less reach and bad service. honda even has better investment here like the assembly plant while your subaru has none.
The Civic Type R is made exclusively in the UK... Hence the higher tariffs.
DeleteApparently, most would think that the Type R gets the same kind of maintenance like the base Civic models. I don't even think that most Honda dealerships would be fully-equipped to handle the maintenance of the Type R. Most buyers of the Civic Type R will most likely resort to specialist tuning shops to maintain their car.
DeleteUnless Honda will bring the upcoming Accord with the 2.0L turbo engine similar to the Type R, you are at the mercy of Honda since it is the only car that has that engine available locally. This is quite similar to when Nissan brought a small number of Sylvias locally a few years ago.
In the case of the WRX and WRX STi, their engines are shared across different platforms. The EJ25 is a proven workhorse and is the powerplant of the previous generation WRX STi, Legacy GT, and older Forester XT. For the WRX, its FA20 engine is shared with the current Forester XT and also shares similarities with the non-turbo engine of the BRZ/86.
I would still pick the WRX STI Though, spend the extra 400k on mods like coilovers, titanium exhausts, a mild stage 1 tune, bigger intake and air filters, bigger intercooler, wider tires, paint protection. and I will be happy AF
DeleteAll hype. It's only the ninth ranked sports compact car per car and driver. Ouch!
DeleteNinth lang Ang Subaru? Kawawa naman mga fanboys nila
Deletemas pipiliin ko pa din yang civic kahit tawagin nyong ricer pa. mas reliable naman makina nyan. kumpara nyo sa ej motor ng sti. Goodluck nalang sa ringland failure.
DeleteThe real car enthusiasts will pick the Subaru WRX STI and the fanboys will choose the Civic Type R because it is the newest fashionable choice with matching bragging rights. The Type R should be priced at least 2m-2.5m, not 3m.
ReplyDeleteAgree with this.
DeleteNailed it.
DeleteThis is BS. Should've driven both before picking either one.
DeleteREAL Car Enthusiasts will appreciate any Car that is Engineered well.
Guess I am a fanboy, since I traded my STi for the Type R.
Another guess, you haven't test driven neither one?
@_@
^butthurt
DeleteAfter V-tec, honda stopped coping up with technology. All they did for the last ten years was nothing significant and exciting. Just cosmetics.
ReplyDeleteyeah, japanese has lost it. they are ageing and therefore lose concept of innovation. see how honda body designs are falling behind their competitors. koreans also do not have it so they hired a european to do the job for them. the japanese wont do the same as it is considered treason.
DeleteAnong treason na nagsimula Ang japan SA pagkopya ng mga American at European cars ng 70s hangang 90s
DeleteTraded my STi for the type R and never looked back. I guess the price difference in Ph is too big of a deal for you guys.
ReplyDelete"Surprisingly, Subaru is opting to keep the wheel sizes the same for 2018 with 245/40 R 18 tires on both the WRX and WRX STI."
ReplyDeleteSurprised? Just like a high school student given an essay assignment with minimum number of words. lol
"..with 300 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and .."
305*
boxer engine
ReplyDeletesymmetrical awd
Too bad, WRX manual can be availed via indent order. I hope that they will make this car available. :(
ReplyDeleteYeah, got mine after 9-month reservation.. basically they release during the month of August.
DeleteWhat the? Really 9-month reservation? I am planning to buy one this December. How I wish the tax reform will not be passed. By the way Sir Uly how much will the WRXs and STIs price cost after the tax reform?
ReplyDelete