Much good news has emerged from Subaru over the past 12 months, the most significant being the first ever boxer diesel engine, which I was impressed with when I had it in my custody for a few hours.
It crossed my mind that Subaru might be going soft, but I was mistaken. The same weekend that Subaru launched the WRC rally version of the Impreza, I was given the opportunity to test drive the car. The similarity between the rally version and the road car is just skin deep, but the general sensation comes through. A metallic black STI with 18-inch gunmetal alloys was ready to be driven.
Clutch depressed, press the start button and you instantly realise that the beast is back. I buckled up in a rather comfortable seat, a look in all three
mirrors and away I went. True, the local roads are nowhere near the Nurburgring but I had to improvise.
The Impreza STI has become extremely comfortable to drive: gone is the hard drive that characterised all previous models. Inside, the dashboard and upholstery together with the roof lining are all matching dark grey and black. A silver wing flows from the lower side of the dashboard to the central console, almost as if to remind occupants that Subaru's first creation was an aircraft.
The traffic eased, and I headed towards a country road, a slight touch of the accelerator and the car was glued to the surface. It almost seemed that over the past few months, the Impreza has been working out at the gym, producing bulging muscles: it sports side mudguards, a cool air vent on the bonnet, a rear spoiler attached to the roof, and four exhaust pipes. Under the bonnet is a larger intercooler with an interesting air passage that ends behind the front wheel arches.
The six-speed gearbox is well-matched and the shift of the gear stick resulting in minimal time between one gear and another. Gear selection is rather close and stiff, but very accurate. By this time I could feel the real potential of the car. Before setting off, I set up the rev counter indicator to beep at 5,000 revs as the car tends to speed up the revs rather quickly.
Now it was the time to get serious. The SI Drive will permit the driver to change the drive mode of the car from automatic, to sport mode, and sport sharp. The car's racing pedigree excels with the latter. Behind the SI Drive jog lies the traditional central diff which has gone electronic. There is the full automatic or slide control which moves the ratio balance from front to rear or vice versa. All settings are clearly displayed on the dashboard which helps to jog settings while driving and still keep your eyes on the road.
The Subaru Impreza Sti is powered by the 2.5-litre turbo engine delivering 300PS. It sports Subaru's all-wheel drive and vehicle dynamics control system, ABS with EBS, Brembo brakes, cruise control front and side airbags, 17-inch alloys HID headlamps and Alcantara front bucket seats. On the outside, a rear diffuser reduces high speed lift.
Also, the rear has four exhaust pipes twinned in pairs, which increase power and reduce noise.
At a glance
• Engine: 2,457cc, Boxer four cylinder with AVCS. Turbocharger with air-cooled water spray intercooler.
• Max Power: 300.5 PS
• Consumption: 27.4mpg (Combined)
• Gears: 6 + reverse
• Seating: 5
• Acc 0-60: 4.8 secs
• Length: 4415mm
• Width: 1795mm
• Height: 1475mm
• Price from: €56,000
It crossed my mind that Subaru might be going soft, but I was mistaken. The same weekend that Subaru launched the WRC rally version of the Impreza, I was given the opportunity to test drive the car. The similarity between the rally version and the road car is just skin deep, but the general sensation comes through. A metallic black STI with 18-inch gunmetal alloys was ready to be driven.
Clutch depressed, press the start button and you instantly realise that the beast is back. I buckled up in a rather comfortable seat, a look in all three
mirrors and away I went. True, the local roads are nowhere near the Nurburgring but I had to improvise.
The Impreza STI has become extremely comfortable to drive: gone is the hard drive that characterised all previous models. Inside, the dashboard and upholstery together with the roof lining are all matching dark grey and black. A silver wing flows from the lower side of the dashboard to the central console, almost as if to remind occupants that Subaru's first creation was an aircraft.
The traffic eased, and I headed towards a country road, a slight touch of the accelerator and the car was glued to the surface. It almost seemed that over the past few months, the Impreza has been working out at the gym, producing bulging muscles: it sports side mudguards, a cool air vent on the bonnet, a rear spoiler attached to the roof, and four exhaust pipes. Under the bonnet is a larger intercooler with an interesting air passage that ends behind the front wheel arches.
The six-speed gearbox is well-matched and the shift of the gear stick resulting in minimal time between one gear and another. Gear selection is rather close and stiff, but very accurate. By this time I could feel the real potential of the car. Before setting off, I set up the rev counter indicator to beep at 5,000 revs as the car tends to speed up the revs rather quickly.
Now it was the time to get serious. The SI Drive will permit the driver to change the drive mode of the car from automatic, to sport mode, and sport sharp. The car's racing pedigree excels with the latter. Behind the SI Drive jog lies the traditional central diff which has gone electronic. There is the full automatic or slide control which moves the ratio balance from front to rear or vice versa. All settings are clearly displayed on the dashboard which helps to jog settings while driving and still keep your eyes on the road.
The Subaru Impreza Sti is powered by the 2.5-litre turbo engine delivering 300PS. It sports Subaru's all-wheel drive and vehicle dynamics control system, ABS with EBS, Brembo brakes, cruise control front and side airbags, 17-inch alloys HID headlamps and Alcantara front bucket seats. On the outside, a rear diffuser reduces high speed lift.
Also, the rear has four exhaust pipes twinned in pairs, which increase power and reduce noise.
At a glance
• Engine: 2,457cc, Boxer four cylinder with AVCS. Turbocharger with air-cooled water spray intercooler.
• Max Power: 300.5 PS
• Consumption: 27.4mpg (Combined)
• Gears: 6 + reverse
• Seating: 5
• Acc 0-60: 4.8 secs
• Length: 4415mm
• Width: 1795mm
• Height: 1475mm
• Price from: €56,000