No, it's not an Impreza. Oh sure, much of the structure under this Subaru WRX STi's bulging bodykit is indeed related to that of the more humble Impreza hatchback, but officially, this be-winged, be-intaked super-saloon is not an Impreza.
Which is a trifle odd. For the first hot Subaru saloon in quite some time, you would have thought that the marketing department would be as keen as anything to make the direct bloodline connection to that iconic blue-and-gold rally stage refugee of the early 1990s. The onetime steed of Colin McRae, Richard Burns, Carlos Sainz and Petter Solberg was as iconic for kids of the nineties as was the Mini Cooper in the sixties and the Ford Escort RS in the seventies.
Still, even if Subaru isn’t calling this an Impreza Turbo, I bet the rest of us will. For the Irish market, it will be strictly a special-order-only model, and prices are yet to be decided, but in many ways this really is the return of the fast four-door king.
Take the engine for a start. We’re used to Subaru doing things in its own iconoclastic way, but this is seriously swimming against the tide. No hybrid module here, nor a downsized compact turbo, but instead 2.5 litres of throbbing flat-four engine with a whacking great turbocharger. It may have a modern keyless ignition button, but when you prod it this big engine burps into life with that classic Subaru flat-four wob-wob-wob. Just add some pine trees and a gravel track for maximum time-warp effect.
It is actually quite a modern engine, though. It’s compliant with the super-tough EU6 emissions regulations and its 300hp and 407Nm of torque are right on the money if it wants to be a rival to the likes of the Audi S3 Saloon and BMW M235i. The CO2 figure is another story – 242g/km means that this is well into the very top band for tax, so it’s €2,350 a disc to you, sir.
Turbo lag All is forgiven, though, when you get it out on the road and start to use it. There is some turbo lag. In fact, you really need to get the engine spinning above 3,000rpm for it to give its all, but boy when you do the Impreza (sorry, WRX STi) really flies. The official acceleration figure is pegged at 5.2 secs to 100kmh, but subjectively it feels way quicker, and more frenetic by half than its German rivals. As the snarling soundtrack builds to a 6,000rpm crescendo, grab another gear in the notchy, mechanical-feeling six-speed gearbox and ride the turbo wave again. It’s addictive in a so-bad-it’s-good way and will certainly get you into as much trouble as you can handle.
Something which can’t be said for the chassis. Subaru has worked hard on the WRX’s inner structure, adding strengthening cross-members, stiffer bushings and mounts (and importantly not adding any weight relative to the last, hatchback STi model) and it shows. The WRX just shrugs off any demand you may make of it, revelling in the tricky, damp conditions of the Co Fermanagh roads we were testing it on.
The all-wheel-drive system, common to all Subarus but abetted here by an electronic centre differential that can, if you wish, send more power to the back wheels and also shuffle grunt from one side of the car to the other, must take much of the credit, but the steering is especially brilliant. Subaru has eschewed electrical power assistance, and instead the hydraulically-boosted rack feels crisp, alert and exceptionally talkative when it comes to communicating with your palms. It allows you to place the WRX with terrific precision and confidence, and in give-and-take conditions, the only realistic way to travel faster is to start studying for that helicopter licence. Thankfully, the massive 17in Brembo brakes are man enough to haul you back down from any excessive speeds.
Stiffly sprung A shame that the ride quality couldn’t be better. Clearly, any high performance car like this is going to be stiffly sprung, but the WRX is just too much so. Attack a bumpy stretch and you’ll actually find yourself slowing down because the suspension just can’t cope and starts to bounce uncomfortably. At lower speeds it’s merely firm but never quite pliant enough for comfort. That’s a shame as in other areas (big 420-litre boot, spacious back seats) the WRX once again stakes out a claim to be every bit as much a practical daily driver as a warp-speed performance machine.
Aside from the wallet-shredding tax band issue, the biggest question mark over the WRX now will be its price. Subaru Ireland has told us that although the WRX is available in the UK from now, it will essentially be a January 2015 model here and prices are not yet decided. When pressed, there was an admission that the €48,950 Audi S3 Saloon is the primary target, so expect a similar figure to be stuck to the WRX’s windscreen. That’s a big chunk of money for a relatively simple Japanese performance saloon with the usual plain and plastic-y Subaru interior and a wide-boy body kit.
The Germans have their towels well and truly on the sports saloon sun-loungers these days and Subaru, shorn of its rally team halo, will struggle to unseat them. Still, there is a deliciously old-school hooligan streak to this car, a bright red streak of proper automotive naughtiness amid a grey sea of overly-complex, toeing-the-environmental-line rivals. For the right sort of buyer, it will be unbeatable.
Our verdict
Expensive to run and out of touch, ecologically speaking. Massive, old-fashioned fun, though, and practical with it
The lowdown:
Power: 300hp.
Torque: 407Nm. 0-100kmh: 5.2sec.
Top speed: 260kmh.
Claimed economy: 10.3l/100km. (27.2mpg)
CO2 emissions: 242g/km.
Motor tax: €2,350.
Price: Circa €45,000 – TBC
