Skip to main content

Here’s Why Subaru WRX Demand Will Skyrocket after Star Role in ‘Baby Driver’

The Subaru WRX was cast in a perfect role in ‘Baby Driver’. Here’s why demand will skyrocket for the rally-bred performance sedan.
2018 Subaru WRX STI, 2018 WRX, Baby Driver movie, 2006 Subaru WRX

The Subaru WRX got some valuable screen time as the movie ‘Baby Driver’ opened up this weekend in theaters across America. It was featured in the opening scene as Ansel Elgort, who plays the title character “Baby”, a getaway driver for his mob boss, easily outruns the cops in his bright, red 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX. It was the prefect role for the rally-bred performance sedan.

The new action film from Sony and Writer and Director Edgar Wright “Hot Fuzz” and “Shaun of the Dead” fame, shows how the WRX’s all-wheel-drive capabilities and 2.5-liter turbo boxer engine perform on the streets of Atlanta. It’s the perfect way for the WRX to display its rally-bred suspension as it slides through a narrow alley on wet pavement in the opening scene.

We’re sure Subie fans wish the WRX got more screen time in the new movie, but the sports-tuned sedan was on the silver screen long enough to make a good impression to generate interest in the brand’s performance model. The Subaru BRZ sports coupe even got a little exposure as “Baby” looks at a small blue model car during one of the scenes.

Subaru BRZ

The 2006 Subaru WRX wasn't the only get-away car in the new movie, and there were around 150 cars of various makes used in “Baby Driver”. There’s even some cool American classic metal in the film as Lily James, who plays his beautiful waitress girlfriend, waits for him to get out of prison. But it’s the performance WRX that seems to be making the biggest impression.

Look for the new ‘Baby Driver’ film from Sony Pictures to help Subaru WRX and WRX STI sales this summer. The newly-refreshed 2018 WRX/STI sedans are just now arriving in Subaru showrooms. Sales of the performance sedans have been brisk, but the exposure will drive up demand. Look for the rally-bred sedans to start flying off dealer lots.

The Subaru WRX in the new movie ‘Baby Driver’ won’t be as popular as Steve McQueen’s Mustang in ‘Bullitt’ or the Mini-Cooper in ‘The Italian Job’, but the film will draw plenty of attention to the newly-refreshed 2018 Subaru WRX and WRX STI. Just don’t try to outrun the cops or your insurance rates will be even higher.

Photo credit: Sony Pictures
This story is updated on May 11, 2018.

Automotive News
Performance Vehicles
Subaru
Subaru WRX

Comments

Mark Jaszkowiak (not verified)    July 2, 2017 - 8:35PM

Permalink

You guys.... The wrx doesn't have a 2.5 L engine in it. At least it doesn't stock. WRX has a 2.0 L. 2.5 is for the STi

Stizzle mi shizzle (not verified)    July 3, 2017 - 12:37AM

Permalink

After 05 the WRX got a 2.5 similar to the STI but smaller cams, smaller turbo, no electronic center diff, and still an anemic 5speed manual trans. From personal experience owning both an 03 WRX and current an 06 STI, dig deep into those pockets and spring for the STI... the dccd, 6speed, factory brembo brakes, and Bilstein suspension alone justify the extra chedda. Yes, you can make a WRX "as fast" as a stock STI with some work, but it's an uphill battle... The STI also has 5x114 lug pattern (much wider selection in wheels, and beefier wheel bearings) compared to the 5x100 pattern from the WRX.

Zane (not verified)    July 3, 2017 - 3:11AM

Permalink

If you dont know what you're on about dont open your mouth. 2006 was the first year wrx came in 2.5l, subsequently being the same year that the forester xt was built on the wrx chassis #themoreyouknow

Brian (not verified)    July 6, 2017 - 9:16AM

Permalink

Actually, I'm pretty sure the articles have it all wrong. I recently spoke to the shop that did the conversions for the car--they did 3, I believe in total--and they're all regular WRXs. What they did do though was convert the cars from AWD to RWD, do the STI swap, put some other stuff like coilovers, a front COBB sway bar and a rear (whiteline, I believe?) sway bar, and a couple other random tidbits. (Forgot a lot of the conversation since it was months ago.) Either way, NOT a STi. But definitely a WRX with a ton of cool stuff done to it. Oh, and I may be wrong, but my gut tells me that they only did a RWD conversion on one of the hawkeyes.

Denis Flierl    July 6, 2017 - 2:24PM

Permalink

After doing some research, an interview on Autoblog with the stunt man reported they used a number of different 2006 Subaru Impreza WRXs for the movie. One was a stock WRX STI with the wing removed, one was a modified WRX with over 320hp and other powertrain upgrades, another was an automatic transmission model with a camera on top, and another was a WRX converted to RWD. Who knew right?