Giving It STick
We read your Impreza WRX STi review and are concerned at some of the assertions made, primarily the statements:
- It "has the worst torque range of any vehicle on the market"
- The suggestion that it is prone to "Embarrassing - not to mention dangerous - situations...."
- The implication that Subaru has produced misleading performance figures in the statement: "we can't help wonder where the 50-horse nitrous shot was hidden!"
We feel that these statements go beyond the bounds of objective journalism. Given the heavy criticism, I'm surprised and disappointed that we weren't offered any opportunity to respond, but that's unfortunately too late now. As you are aware, these vehicles are sensitive to fuel quality and oil grade and we make every effort to have them prepared to the highest standards. Was there a problem on this occasion? I'd have liked the opportunity to investigate, but you didn't alert us. We pride ourselves on providing media access to our engineers and technical experts (I understand from other media outlets that this is something of a rarity) and we would have been happy to discuss any of these issues.
Taking each of these points individually:
- To say that this car has the worst torque of any vehicle on the market is a rash statement. Are we seriously expected to believe that it produces worse torque than any other vehicle, bar none?
- Subaru has built its reputation on quality engineering, safety and a fun driving experience. To suggest we have produced a dangerous vehicle in some parameters is unacceptable. Indeed, it would not gain Australian Design Rule approval if this were the case.
- We take exception to your implication that we produced misleading performance figures. There is absolutely nothing to be gained in doing this, as it would only create negativity and disappointment among customers and the media. Motor magazine recently ran its own tests and achieved a 5.53 second 0-100km/h figure. We quote a figure of 5.45 seconds (independently verified by the NRMA, using its Correvit) - not the 5.25 you quote as our figure.
I remain open to your input but perhaps if you'd sought our input before publication, we needn't have reached this unfortunate situation. We respect your right to publish your views, but given the fierce nature of the criticism, we believe it would have been reasonable and responsible to warrant a right of reply. I look forward to your response.
Regards,
David Rowley
National Corporate Affairs Manager
Subaru Australia
We are always happy to print dissenting perspectives in AutoSpeed. We weren't aware of any mechanical problems with the test vehicle, which we took as indicative of the model - as of course is the norm in any new car test. As such we saw no benefit in discussing its characteristics with local engineering staff.
To examine each of your points of concern:
- We didn't say that the vehicle "has the worst torque of any vehicle on the market", as you have stated. We in fact made the comment about its "torque range". If you can provide for us details on any other new car for sale in Australia that has a narrower range of engine speeds above which 80 per cent of peak torque is developed, we'll gladly acknowledge that the statement was erroneous.
- We didn't suggest that Subaru has produced a dangerous vehicle. The statement in question was; "Embarrassing - not to mention dangerous - situations like this quickly teach you the MY02 STi is a no-goer at anything below mid rpm. It's tractable - yes - but don't expect any useable acceleration." This statement is reflective of the initial expectations of the driver, ones that were quickly changed after driving the car. As with any car, if the driver has expectations of performance which are unrealisable then dangerous situations are likely to develop.
- With regard to the quoting of Subaru's claimed performance figures, we apologise for the mistake that we have made. In fact, as you have suggested, the claim is 5.45 seconds, not the 5.25 seconds that we stated in the article. We will correct this figure forthwith. In regard to the performance figures of the car in general, we would suggest that achieving Subaru's claimed performance figures would require driving the car in a manner that would invalidate the Subaru new car warranty, specifically in regard to clutch and gearbox life. If Subaru would like to demonstrate the achieving of these times with the car being driven in a manner consistent with maintaining full private buyer warranty, then we would have to reconsider the statements that we made with regard to performance times.
We made many positive statements made about the car, viz:
"The STi's ride/handling compromise is about perfect for this category of vehicle."
"Handling wise, the all-wheel-drive STi is exceptional."
"The result is minimal turn-in understeer followed by enormous traction when you get back on the power."
"Speaking of steering, the STi has perfect tiller weight, linearity and feel."
"At $55,130 (plus ORCs) the STi offers a combination of practicality, braking, ride, handling, grip and performance you can't match until you reach 80-odd grand Evolution 6.5 land."
"The STi backs its point-to-point speed with stonkingly powerful anchors."
"Handling is fantastic - much less understeer than previous STi's."
"Wonderful, up-spec brakes."
As such we believe that the report is honest, forthright and balanced. No vehicle is perfect, and the STi is certainly not. As our report made clear, in some areas it is an enormously competent car, and in other areas, it is not. JE
She's No Tramp
Just a quick note for the Magna fans out there (C'mon, take off your cardigans and stand up to be counted). While Julian is right about the torque steer in the manual models, by far the better car to drive is the five-speed Sportshift auto. The car will still fry the tyres all through first gear if you nail it off the line, but it doesn't have the terrible torque steer that the manual model has. There is no sudden lurching and lane changing as the car accelerates away, just bewildered looks on the faces of XR6 Falcon drivers who just got chopped by a Magna with four people in it. I can't wait for the All Wheel Drive model being developed for release next year!
Cheers!
Southo
We have a review of the 180kW Ralliart Magna auto coming up in a future issue. And bring on the four-squealer!
Fire Wire
Although the field of auto electrics is often handled by auto electricians, quite often the average punter like myself has a go at wiring in things like turbo timers, high watt headlights, stereos and Japanese import engines with OEM computers. Over the years, through trial and error (well, mainly error!) and also looking at how factory wiring is designed, I have picked up a few good electrical rules, like:
- Soldering single wire joins and not just twisting them together
- Using insulated female connectors to join components to the positive, and male connectors for negative.
- Always, always using a fusible connection as close as possible to the battery to protect against fire (to those not in the know, when you connect a wire from the battery directly to the body of a car, usually by accident, a 'short circuit' occurs, where the low resistance of the wire allows a huge current to flow. This can make the wire red hot, incinerating all around it!)
- Using the appropriate gauge (thickness) of wire to handle the proposed current draw.
Recently, I noticed a headlight on a Nissan 720 pickup I own had stopped working. Looking at the back of the headlight, I noticed that both wires had come off the rear of the light. I simply reconnected them. A few moments later I lowered the bonnet, started the car and tested the lights. Now, this particular vehicle had just been fitted with a new engine, and I immediately thought the smoke coming from under the bonnet was from paint from the recently fitted exhaust. But when the wires from the headlight I had just (wrongly!) connected burned through the adjacent horn wire, making the horn sound, I knew things were amiss! All this happened quite quickly...
Now, an auto electrician had wired these hi-watt lights some years ago. I got someone else to do the job because I didn't have time and the originals were too dim. He didn't use a fuse between the relay and the battery. He didn't use distinguishable terminals at the lights themselves. I had connected positive to ground, which resulted in a short. The wire burned its insulation off then started to burn the insulation on the wires in the loom around it. The auto electrician hadn't made the system idiot proof, let alone intrinsically safe.
My point? What do you have to do to become an auto electrician? Obviously not the same trade qualifications as a home electrician! Can you imagine the consequences of the same thing happening in your own home? It's disappointing when you pay a 'professional' to do a job that you could have done miles better yourself. I admit, I should have chosen someone who was a member of an automotive trade association - you live and learn. This particular 'professional' has gone out of business and I'm not surprised. But is there a qualification such trades people need to have? And to enable those attempting electrical work on their cars themselves is there some good reading to get some basics dos and don'ts? Auto electrics seems to be a 'pick-it-up-as-you-go' trade-the right and wrong way of doing things doesn't seem to be black and white.
Phil Barnett
Hornsby, NSW
Do any readers know of any good books? Let us know!
Getting Exhausted
In your interview with Nizpro's Simon Gishus he stated that exhaust mods for the LS1 work well initially, however after about 3 weeks the engine management system reprograms back to its original defaults, and most of the gain is adjusted out. My question, which is either obvious, stupid, or both, is can disconnection of the battery every 3 weeks reset the computer to again recognise the power gains for another 3 weeks? Equally, as my vehicle is a Statesman which has a reset mode, can this achieve the same result? Thanks, and by the way, keep up the great work.
David McArthur
Perth, Australia
Can't help but think you're referring to the trip computer on your car's instrument panel - resetting it does not reset your car's management system. In answer to your question, no - as far as we can determine, resetting your car's PCM will immediately reset its short and long-term trims - its target values - back to the factory numbers. GT
Mine's bigger than yours!
Regarding this car: the Rigoli-built 2.4-litre WRX "Unbeatable"...
It's nothing special! Taiwan has a 2.6-litreWRX using custom pistons made by Wiseco (Aus). Unfortunately, the tuning scene here is not so experienced, and despite the 2.6-litre engine it only puts out 600hp at the wheels and runs 11.73 for the quarter.
Aaron
Taichung, Taiwan
Top End Screamer
Keep up the great work guys. I am not a member but regularly keep tabs on your fantastic site. I don't have Net access at home so can only sneak time here and there at work. As soon as I do get a permanent connection I will subscribe immediately. A mate just forwarded this link to me - "http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1842429471" - and I thought you might be interested in it. I have already made my mind up on this item but I am curious to see what you blokes think. Keep up the fantastic work. PS: The intercooler water spray controller works fantastic but does stay on too long for some of the roads in the Northern Territory.
Glenn Ireland
Darwin, Australia
I'd like to think you're of the same mind as everyone in the AS office - what a load of rubbish!
Cam Across The Creek
Hi, just a couple of quick ones. Regarding: Promise Delivered about the Ford Falcon upgrade ("Promise Delivered"I wonder if you know of any New Zealand distributors of Jim Mock's DEV kits for the Ford Falcon? Re: New Car Test - Ralliart Magna: Would the 5-speed auto alleviate the traction problems you have encountered with that car? Although it lacks the LSD, the auto comes with traction control. (According to the Mitsubishi NZ website anyway).
Keep up the great work.
Mansfield Wong
Auckland, New Zealand
We're sure the Mock cam package to EnZed is no more difficult than an AirExpress satchel - our suggestion is to call Mock in Melbourne and ask. As mentioned previously, we'll have a review of the 180kW auto Magna soon. GT
Speed Demon
Dear AutoSpeed ...or should I say AutoSped. Gee, the content has gone downhill in the last week or two. Reviews of family sedans - the Toyota Corolla Ascent wagon and Magna in one issue? Where is the performance stuff? Maybe if you want to experiment in marketing to a more mainstream audience, you should split your subscriber based by personalised preference (let them choose) and pitch the different content to the different audience. For mine - feel free to leave out the Magna or Toyota Corolla reviews. I won't hang around for that type of stuff anyway.
Phil Baddock
Australia
Being one of the quickest cars in Australia, the 180kW Ralliart Magna is exactly the type of car you'll continue to see in AutoSpeed.
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