WRX passes 50,000 sales in Australia

Subaru Australia is celebrating a milestone, having sold its 50,000th WRX in Australia since the rally-bred model first appeared locally in 1994.

Known for its flat-four turbocharged engine, all-wheel-drive and unsubtle bonnet scoop, the 'Rex' is currently in its fourth generation with the basic principle remaining unchanged since its inception.

Initially a trim level on the four-door Impreza, the WRX nameplate became its own model in 2014, ditching the Subaru EJ motor after 20 years for the FA, losing the iconic throbbing sound from the unequal-length exhaust headers.

Mark Biegel of Ipswich, Queensland was the milestone man, purchasing the 50,000th WRX from Llewellyn Motors in Ipswich, scoring a five-year service plan and $5000 worth of accessories from Subaru.

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Mark Biegel purchased the 50,000th WRX sold in Australia from Llewellyn Motors in Ipswich

Subaru Australia General Manager, Blair Read, said the success of Subaru in Australia is largely owed to the WRX, with the fourth-generation being the most popular model to date.

"We often talk in the automotive industry about ‘halo’ cars - those which attract off-the-scale interest," said Read.

"WRX is a prime example and played no small part in Subaru’s massive Australian growth in the 1990s.

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The first generation WRX launched in 1994 with a 155kW/270Nm flat-four turbo engine

"Its early relatively unassuming appearance - but for the giveaway ‘letter box’ on the bonnet - belied a package which won converts at a massive rate.

“Not only did it switch many thousands of people on to Subaru, it established a trend many tried to follow but few got near.

“The current generation ‘Rex is our biggest seller to date and the fact there are WRX Clubs meeting regularly across Australia is proof of its enduring appeal.

“We can’t wait to share details of the fifth generation during the year.”

The WRX has long been popular in the MOTOR and Wheels offices, having won multiple awards in its early generations as it broke the mould from what the public expected of a four-door performance car.

Between them, the base WRX and upgraded STI have won five MOTOR 'Bang for your Bucks' awards (1998, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2009) as well as helping the Impreza take the Wheels 'Car of the Year' crown in 2000.

Australia's fondness for the WRX has spawned local market only specials, such as the Club Spec Evo series (leather seats, sunroof) and the WRP10, built to commemorate 10 years of the WRX in Australia.

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2000 saw the introduction of the GD Impreza. The 'Bug-eye' WRX was criticised for having the same power but more weight than the outgoing GC

The WRX has long been popular in the MOTOR and Wheels offices, having won multiple awards in its early generations as it broke the mould from what the public expected of a four-door performance car.

Between them, the base WRX and upgraded STI have won five MOTOR 'Bang for your Bucks' awards (1998, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2009) as well as helping the Impreza take the Wheels 'Car of the Year' crown in 2000.

Australia's fondness for the WRX has spawned local market only specials, such as the Club Spec Evo series (leather seats, sunroof) and the WRP10, built to commemorate 10 years of the WRX in Australia.

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Commonly known as the G3, the 2008-onwards model served as the last Impreza-based WRX, being made into its own model with the fourth-gen (main pic)