THE STI OF THE BEHOLDER (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 96

To say something of a cult now surrounds the Subaru Impreza is something of an understatement. This car that started life as just another four-wheel drive oddity back in 1993 then spawned the Impreza Turbo and the rest is history. Several World Rally Championships and countless car magazine front covers later it spawned a second-generation version. Launched in 2000, this radically styled version seemed to have lost the plot. Canny used buyers know otherwise. This late shape Impreza is one of the best used buys on the market. Find out here how to bag a beauty.

Modelsword count: 24

Models Covered: 4 door saloon, 5 door hatchback: 1.5, 1.6, 2.0, 2.0 turbo 2.5 turbo [TS, R, GX, WRX, WRX STi, UK300, Type-UK, GB270])

Historyword count: 378

October 2000 saw the launch of the thoroughly revised Impreza range. Whilst the looks took some getting used to, Subaru managed to hit the target with the driving dynamics. The range consisted of the 95bhp 1.6-litre TS five-door sports wagon, the 125bhp 2.0 GX sports wagon and four-door saloon, and the 218bhp WRX saloon and sports wagon. Summer 2000 saw a slightly racier special edition version of the WRX called the UK300, effectively acting as a curtain raiser for the arrival in late 2001 of the 'official' Euro-spec WRX STi model, available with or without a Prodrive body kit and boasting no less than 265bhp. Many commentators were initially disappointed by the second generation Impreza. The looks were too much for some, whilst others complained that the slightly softer focus was evidence of Subaru selling out and trying to become a BMW 3 Series rival. Those who drove it hard knew that nothing could be further from the truth. When the Impreza WRX STi effectively knocked the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII off its perch as most desirable rally replica, the Impreza's rehabilitation neared completion. A World Rally Championship win for Richard Burns then sealed the public's renewed affection for the Subaru. Still dividing opinion, those bug-eyed headlights were replaced with something less outlandish in a 2003 facelift and by the autumn of 2004 a barnstorming STi Type-UK model had arrived to top the range. The 2006 model year facelift brought dramatic changes to the look of the car. The tri-sectioned grille with central 'nostril' raised some eyebrows as did the stretched headlamps that wrap around into the car's front wings. More important, however, was the dropping of the old faithful 2.0-litre turbo engine in favour of a 2.5-litre turbo unit. At the same time the normally aspirated 2.0-litre entry-level car was boosted to 158bhp. A 277bhp STI model followed some months later and then came the interesting STI spec D with its more 'discreet' styling and STI underpinnings beneath. The 1.5-litre entry level model arrived in the autumn of 2006 looking good value with the same all-wheel-drive mechanicals as the more expensive derivatives. The Impreza GB270 was the run-out model based on the WRX but with a 39bhp power boost. The all-new hatchback Impreza arrived in September 2007.

What You Getword count: 273

As with so many 'evolutionary' models, the latest generation Impreza range emerges as a better car, although perhaps not quite so exciting as the previous model. It certainly feels a more mature proposition. The interior does at least appear to be built to a far more acceptable standard of quality. The seats will feel slightly narrow for some tastes, but offer great support. In the WRX variant, the leather-trimmed Momo steering wheel and drilled aluminium pedal set certainly complete the sporting picture. The fascia has been livened up with splashes of silver and chrome, and the effect, whilst unlikely to give Audi sleepless nights, is a vast improvement on the old model. Some details still grate, however. The cupholders jam in their slots and there's some untidy finishing, but the interior no longer feels like a cheap and cheerful Korean shopping hatch. Introduced at the 2001 Frankfurt Show, the STi is powered by a 265bhp 2.0-litre flat four engine, but don't be fooled into thinking that it's merely a case of plugging in a more aggressive engine management chip or a bucket-sized turbocharger. Nearly 80% of the STi's all-alloy powerplant is unique. Two versions are offered for the UK market - the standard STi and the special edition STi Prodrive Style with custom spoilers, grille and front bumper. This with/without styling accessories option is a path already trodden by Subaru with the UK300 special edition. Both STi models get smoked glass projector headlamps, cavernous bonnet intakes and a massive exhaust pipe. All Imprezas are surprisingly practical propositions given their explosive performance. The five-door wagon is especially well suited to trail driving/ski resort duties.

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