Posts Tagged ‘2009’

Driven: 2009 Subaru “Sir Mix Alot” Impreza WRX

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
In a move which is the exact opposite of everything thought sane by car companies, Subaru has admitted that it fluffed up. They’ve finally given up on that awful hatchback version of the much-revered Impreza and gone back to basics by giving it an arse.
After what seems like years of justifying the new design to your mates, you can now look at the Impreza WRX and smile. I’ve never been so chuffed to see a bigger backside in my entire life. It rounds of the car and prevents it from looking like an eleven year old Kia Rio. Dark 17 inch alloys, a subtle spoiler at the rear and a neat intercooler up front round off what has become an exciting package.
But with Subaru, it’s never been about appearance, has it? It is quite simply all about the drive, but more on that in a bit. It certainly has never been about the interior. Looking at the dash in this car, I couldn’t help but think that Subaru’s henchmen are so single minded that they literally forgot about the interior. Either that or they just don’t know what ‘an interior’ is. It’s like having a 17 year old brother who lives in his darkened room, endlessly hacking into the Pentagon but couldn’t operate the washing machine if his freedom depended on it.
The aftermarket radio is so awful that it’s laughable. I simply can’t understand how in 2009 a Japanese car company can install an aftermarket radio which is flumoxed by an MP3 disc. You invented the bloody thing you wallies. Get it right.
Thankfully, when they weren’t rummaging around in old parts bins for a light switch, the other 99% of this car’s development time was used by the drivetrain geniuses at Subaru HQ to prefect the best four wheel drive system known to man. Honestly, throw this car into any car at any speed and you will a) frighten your passengers to death, b) create an orchestra of tyre squeal and c) come out of the corner perfectly in tact.
I’ve never felt so brave and yet so safe. On a good road at an ungodly hour and with plenty of fuel on board (this car has a drinking problem) you’ll struggle to have more fun in anything near this sort of money.
The best part about everything this car does is what it doesn’t do. This is the only car I know that doesn’t try and flatter you. Every car these days is built so that a blind one armed orang utan can do a 1 minute 29 around the Nurburgring in the snow.
But the Subaru just isn’t. If you aren’t careful with the clutch, you will stall. If you don’t work the gears, you’ll be slow and boring. Shortshift in 3rd or 4th and you’ll bang your nose on the steering wheel.
But concentrate, grab the car by the scruff of the neck and drive it like you’re in a barfight, and the Impreza WRX will never fail to deliver you to sheer driving…heaven.

subaru-impreza-wrx-2009

In a move which is the exact opposite of everything thought sane by car companies, Subaru has admitted that it fluffed up. They’ve finally given up on that awful hatchback version of the much-revered Impreza and gone back to basics by giving it an arse.

After what seems like years of justifying the new design to your mates, you can now look at the Impreza WRX and smile. I’ve never been so chuffed to see a bigger backside in my entire life.

(more…)

eF-One: You Only Sing When You’re Winning

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

No-one likes a bad loser, but the Brits seem to have a wonderful knack of being bad winners. And bad losers. Y’know, because they always lose at stuff. I have maintained for many years now England will never win another FIFA World Cup™ because they’re all atheists.  “God is a Brazilian” after all, but not when it comes to F1 it seems. Poor Rubens Barrichello. It’s like his house always burns down when he has a braai in his own backyard.

Button. Probably supports Chelsea.

Button. Probably supports Chelsea.

But I guess we should grudgingly give Jenson Button some measure of kudos for wrapping up the world title.  However it spoke volumes for me about the man’s character when he was stuck behind Kamui Kobayashi for lap after excruciating lap.  Button got on the team radio and complained about  Kobayashi weaving and blocking him.  Please.  It was his Grand Prix debut and as a World Champion elect it’s your job to get past him. Kobayashi drove defensively and legally, although his honour was called into question later on when he swerved dangerously in front of Kazuki Nakajima sending him on a murder ride into the barriers.

(more…)