and I'm test driving the 2015 Subaru WRX

today we're going to drive not only the new six-speed transmission

but we're also going to try out the new CVT automatic transmission

so we're in the 2015 WRX

equipped with the automatic CVT transmission

there has not been an automatic WRX since 2007

and they only offer it in a sedan form at this point, in the meantime

the CVT it's surprising. The transmission is a

more responsive than you would imagine, the paddle shifters

they're very crisp and with the various modes of SI drive you can

totally tell S mode is more responsive obviously then

the I mode which is the most economical and the most efficiency

focused drive mode and then the S #(sharp) mode offers

the quickest and most responsive shifting of the three modes

it also offers a basically a virtual

eight-speed transmission, and i say virtual because

with the CVT there really isn't a defined gear

as in a traditional manual transmission whereas this one here

it actually can create shorter ratios on the fly

the new FA20 engine with direct injection

and Garrett Turbocharger is all new for this car

it's even a little bit different than what comes with the BRZ

this one's a hundred percent direct injection

and Subaru states that it puts out 268

horsepower compared to the previously rated each EJ 255 engine that came with

the last WRX. those are rated at 255 horsepower

yet those are two and a half liters and this one's only a 2 liter

86 by 86

bore and stroke dimension. The turbocharger is located

just below the crankshaft so they really kept down and low

much better compared to the position on the turbocharger on the EJ

which is located up by the firewall the chassis on the whole

impressive. Subaru stiffened it up by adjusting the

control arms in the front. The lower control arms are now aluminum

they've also improved the rear suspension of the chassis

the SI Drive controls work together with the suspension design

to provide a driving experience that doesn't roll

nearly as much as one would expect from a factory ride height

sedan, on 17-inch wheels still which the bolt pattern is now

5x114 so that opens up more wheel options available on the market.

Now we're in the six speed WRX

and I'm glad we tested this one second because it helps you remember

the advantages to a true manual transmission

it applies the power much much more aggressively

And it definitely pulls a little bit harder than it did on the CVT

and the clutch is easy to modulate the shifter it is a little notchy

If you take it on the track, you might find it a little frustrating

as aggressive acceleration

a quick shift into the next gear, the clutch hesitates to engage

with the release of the pedal so that is one thing you might notice

wouldn't hurt to be

upgraded in the future

The FA20 accelerates phenomenally off of the line

for what it is, its a 3300 pound car. it's about 60 pounds heavier

in the way of chassis stiffening and various other adjustments in the suspension

it's well worth it so much so much better than the previous model

you know you could always find a little room for refinement

but you get it you can drive this about every day

and have a blast with it. whether you're going to the track

whether you're going to work, traffic

weekender

in the mountains

to go skiing

snowboarding

it's a

very confident vehicle