Heavy foot + debatable skills = a wipeout that caused me to have a new, yet temporary front fascia (yes, I blushed). Subaru has made some cosmetic changes and a significant number of engineering modifications to its affordable hot rod, including a larger, stronger engine and a new electronic torque distribution mechanism for the standard all wheel drive system. Bottom line: The changes have cemented the 2006 Subaru WRX as a tremendous bang-for-your-buck ride. MSRP: $24,495; Warranty: 3/36,000.

First Glance

The WRX is the performance version of the Impreza - Subaru's bread-and-butter compact in North America. Like the base Impreza, the WRX is available as a 4-door sedan and a 5-door wagon.

For 2006, the WRX is completely new from the windshield forward: new front fascia, new wheels, new brakes, new suspension and new engine. Subaru claims very few parts of the car have been left unchanged. I have to say, though, most of the changes made seem to have been more in the form of a nip here and a tuck there rather than a fundamental re-think of the model. The exception is the totally new front fascia.

Perhaps the most contentious part of the re-design will be the new 3-part grill, which celebrates parent Fuji Heavy Industries' 80+ years aircraft manufacturing heritage. The center, more upright part represents a fuselage and the two side parts, aircraft wings. I rather like it but for most people it'll be an acquired taste. There's also a new 5-star logo, which will be on all new Subaru models sold worldwide.

The WRX's headlights have been re-designed and now have a fashionable cats-eye shape. The taillight cluster is new too. A power moonroof is also available this year for the first time.

In the Driver's Seat

Visibility from the front seats is excellent in all directions. The seats are firm yet comfortable enough to cushion you in a commute in stop-and-go traffic over broken city streets. There are also new color combinations for the seats as well as a new 3-spoke leather steering wheel (mercifully devoid of distracting sound system controls).

The whole interior package is extraordinarily well thought out and very well put together. The business-like dark colored dash is set off by metallic highlights on the center console. The air conditioning and heat controls are big round dials so you won't be distracted fiddling around trying to adjust the cabin temperature.

Safety wasn't overlooked: front seat head restraints are designed to help reduce whiplash injury in a rear collision and even the brake pedal collapses to help reduce lower limb injury. Simply put, when you're buckled in to any of the WRX's four seats, you should feel very secure.

The WRX has cubbies and nooks help you store items like CDs and glasses as well as having front and rear cupholders.

On the Road

Let's face it: the WRX isn't about 3-part grills or 5-star logos. It's about performance. In this respect the new WRX rocks.

The old 2.0 litre engine has been replaced by a brand new 2.5 litre DOHC turbocharged 4-cylinder. The new engine produces a bit more torque (235 lb-ft vs 217) but torque now comes on much sooner than before and stays on longer. There's also a bit more horsepower (230 hp vs 227). Subaru claims a 0 – 60mph time of 6.8 seconds.

The numbers don't tell the entire story, however. The old engine was great but you had really had to wind it out to get its full performance. You still have to wind out the new engine but things begin to light up sooner and with perceptibly less fuss. The new engine actually has a different, more muscular feel.

The Boxer architecture has, naturally, been retained in the new engine. That's one of the first thing the enthusiast thinks about when he thinking about a Subaru. The other thing he or she thinks about is Subaru's signature asymmetrical all wheel drive. While torque is distributed among all four wheels with Subaru's AWD, there is a distinct rear drive bias in the '06, which delights the performance-oriented driver.

Journey's End

The event took place around the resort town of Mont Tremblant, which is about 110 miles north of Montreal. It began with a long drive through the scenic mountain backroads outside Mont Tremblant and finished up at the spectacular Circuit Mont Tremblant – now owned by the chap who controls the Tommy Hilfiger clothing empire.

Track marshals had set up pylons at a couple of places on the track to give us an opportunity to try out the automobiles' responsiveness. We later learned the pylons' primary purpose was to control the speed of the more testeronic among us while we sorted out our limitations vis-à-vis the cars. Didn't help me though. My heavy foot overwhelmed my skill levels and I managed to spin out on Turn 5. I was thus reminded not for the first time of the important – no, critical - role electronic stability control can play in today's super high-powered automobiles. Be forewarned, oh ye of big cojones but tiny skills, electronic stability control is not available on the WRX.

With the exception of this small, er, contretemps, I came away thrilled with my experience driving the new WRX.