2011 Subaru WRX & WRX STI Photos

The 2011 Subaru WRX and WRX STI is one of the best of Subaru cars in the market. Either the sedan or hatchback type, performance has never been different. Being popular for years in the World Rally Championship, the Subaru WRX can absolutely compete for the top prize.

For 2011, the WRX has ditched the black robe for a string bikini, flaunting some serious haunches in the process. Meanwhile, the car's big brother – the WRX STI – has been fitted with a completely reworked suspension and an all-new four-door body style.

-PopularMechanics

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2011 Subaru WRX and WRX STI Specs:

As anyone who managed to survive the rash of Pontiac "wider is better" ads of the mid ‘90s can tell you, throwing more than an inch into a car's girth can have a big impact on how the vehicle performs. "We managed to increase the track of the WRX by nearly 1.5 inches," says Martyn Harding, Impreza car line manager for Subaru North America. "That's huge." In reality, Subaru has spread the WRX by 1.3 inches compared to the 2010 model—a big number by anyone's count—thanks solely to the car's wild new bodywork. While the hatchback now wears the same cladding as last year's WRX STI, the look is most noticeable in four door trim, where the body is dominated by front fenders that are flared to body builder proportions and rear quarter panels that are built to match. There's even more than a hint of BMW M3 in the rear diffuser. Throw in a set of wheels that are wider by a full inch and suddenly the car is capable of laying down grip well past the engine's capability.

Like last year, the WRX gets its power from a turbocharged 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine with 265 horsepower and 244 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a five-speed manual transmission and an all-wheel drive system, the combination returns 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Likewise, the WRX STI retains its old engine, though it produces a more muscular 305 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. The engine is bolted to a six-speed manual gearbox and an adjustable all-wheel drive system, all of which is good for 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.

But the big news on the WRX STI front is what's under the car. Subaru has built in sway bars that are about 30 percent more rigid, stiffer springs (16 percent in the front and 55 percent in the rear), stiffer bushings and a lower ride height for 2011. The company has even moved to steel-ball type bushings where the front control arm meets the body for added rigidity, though it's surrounded by a rubber bushing to keep noise and vibration down.

Price of the WRX will cost you at around $25,495 for the four-door and five-door trims. While the WRX STI sedan is priced at $33,995 and the five-door will cost at $35,995.