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Subaru's SA-bound WRX tops in safety

  • New WRX continues Subaru safety tradition
  • Most 'Top Safety Pick' awards
  • Award represents highest safety levels

The 2014 Subaru WRX and WRX STI have been awarded the 2014 Top Safety Pick Award by US crash test giant, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).

The news comes mere days before the new WRX makes its South African debut on May 21.

Subaru was awarded for superb performance in each of the institute’s crash evaluations, including its "small overlap" front test.

SAFETY AWARDS

The automaker says this is the first time that WRX and WRX STI have been rated by the IIHS.

Subaru Southern Africa marketing manager Ashley Lazarus said: "Safety is one of our brand tenets and we are extremely proud to have earned a Top Safety Pick rating for our performance models.

“We are committed to providing engaging driving together with safety and this award is testament to that commitment.”

The automaker says with the addition of the 2014 WRX, it has six models that have earned 2014 safety awards from IIHS – three with Top Safety Pick and three with Top Safety Pick+ ratings including its Legacy sedan and Outback models with optional EyeSight.

TOP SAFETY PICKS

Subaru has more 2014 IIHS Top Safety Picks than any other brand.

The Subaru WRX, with symmetrical all-wheel drive,forms the base of the brand’s halo performance model line and comes standard with a two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (197kW), mated to a six-speed manual transmission – with Subaru’s Sport Lineartronic CVT also available.

Safety equipment includes seven airbags, anti-lock brake system with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist system, vehicle dynamics control), electronic stability control, traction control system with limited slip device, ISOFIX child seat anchors and Subaru’s Ring-Shaped reinforcement body structure, incorporating the use of super-high-strength steel which dissipates energy during a crash.  

Wheels24’s Janine-Lee Gordon will attend the local launch of the WRX and WRX STI later in May, check back then for her review.
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