In an automotive world geared towards all-digital, the new generation of the Subaru WRX surprises by offering an optional CD player. A bold choice that will delight nostalgics, but which raises questions about the evolution of multimedia systems in the modern automobile.
Retro equipment in a modern car
There Subaru WRX 2024 does not just perpetuate the brand’s sporting tradition. It takes a bold gamble by integrating a CD player to its equipment, a rarity at a time when most manufacturers are focusing exclusively on smartphone connectivity and music streaming. This option, billed at $375 (around €345) excluding installation, allows CD lovers to enjoy their music collection directly in their vehicle. The player is cleverly placed under the central armrest, with vertical insertion of the discs to optimize space.
A divisive choice
The integration of a CD player in a modern car raises questions. On the one hand, it responds to a request from some nostalgic customers or simply attached to this audio format. On the other hand, it may seem anachronistic in the face of modern multimedia systems offering wireless connectivity and access to millions of streaming titles. Some critics point out the high cost of this optionespecially considering the technological simplicity of a CD player. Others point out that adding additional mechanical parts could potentially reduce the reliability of the multimedia system in the long term.
A targeted business strategy
Subaru’s choice is not insignificant. It is partly explained by the Continued popularity of CDs in Japanthe brand’s original market. Unlike the United States, where vinyl has overtaken CDs in terms of sales, the Japanese market remains attached to the CD format. This decision is also part of a broader trend of returning to certain “retro” elements in the automotive industry. We are thinking in particular of the return of physical buttons among certain manufacturers, in the face of criticism of all-touch interfaces.
The uncertain future of physical media in the automotive industry
Subaru’s initiative raises the question of Place of physical media in the cars of tomorrow. While the current trend is clearly towards all-digital and streaming, some manufacturers could be tempted to stand out by offering “vintage” options to appeal to a specific clientele. However, the rapid evolution of automotive technologies and the space constraints in the passenger compartment make a comeback of CD players unlikely. Future systems could instead focus on greater flexibility, allowing users to easily connect their own playback devices, regardless of format.
A nod to the past in a car looking to the future
Beyond the CD player, the new Subaru WRX remains a resolutely modern car. It retains its manual transmission in basic versionan increasingly rare choice that will delight purists. This combination of traditional elements and modern technologies makes the 2024 WRX a unique model on the market. Subaru’s bet with its CD player illustrates the difficulty for manufacturers to reconcile innovation and tradition. In a rapidly changing automotive market, with the rise of electric vehicles and autonomous technologies, this type of initiative is a reminder that some drivers remain attached to more traditional elements of the automotive experience. The integration of a CD player in the 2024 Subaru WRX is much more than a simple anecdote. It reflects the challenges that manufacturers face in satisfying a customer base with varied expectations, while remaining at the forefront of innovation. Whether this option is a success or not, it will have had the merit of rekindling the debate on the place of “old” technologies in modern cars.
