Subaru Impreza Turbo Limited Edition Extra 1994-2000

The Subaru Impreza Turbo—also known as the WRX in many international markets—is but one model in a range of models badged Impreza. However, if you were influenced by what has been written in the media, you could be forgiven for thinking that the Impreza Turbo is all that Subaru markets such is its dominance in peoples thinking. The history of the Impreza Turbo is really quite remarkable; it is, after all, based on an innocuous little Japanese family sedan of no particular merit apart from its superbly engineered four-cylinder boxer engine and four-wheel drive transmission. By bolting on a turbocharger, adding an intercooler, more powerful brakes and modifying the suspension, the Subaru engineers created a world-beater. First, however, it had to earn its stripes in the very public glare of the international rally spotlight. Starting in 1994 the Subaru Impreza Turbo quickly became the car to beat and was the World Rally Championship winner. Very soon the reputation spread to the showrooms where people would queue and wait to take delivery of their Impreza Turbo. The legend had begun and has continued unabated for a decade or more. Since then, of course, the people at Subaru as well as Subaru Technica International (STi) and Prodrive in Banbury have had a program of progressive tinkering with the car that has raised its performance from storming to scintillating. And all the time the basics—2.0-litre turbocharged boxer engine, All-Wheel Drive, five- or six-speed manual gearbox, strut type coil spring independent suspension—has remained pretty much the same. The STi Type UK, for example, is now producing 300 bhp with the special chip from Prodrive. This represents an output of 150 bhp per litre! In many instances the various motoring magazines have been comparing the performance of the Impreza Turbo against such exotics as the BMW M3, Lancia Integrale and Porsche 911. That it holds its own against these vastly more specialised and expensive motorcars should come as no surprise to Subaru enthusiasts and owners. Perhaps the only criticism that has been levelled at the Impreza Turbo concerns the rather down market appearance to the interior. Not that that has caused people to reconsider their purchase; all they needed to do was get in and drive the Impreza Turbo hard, very hard. Then, and only then, would any deficiencies be forgiven. The seemingly effortless way in which the Impreza Turbo covers ground belies its perhaps pedestrian background. Fuji Heavy Industries, of which the Subaru automobile division is by far the largest subsidiary, is not a huge company by international standards but it has been very successful by finding its niche in the grand scheme of things and producing cars that are uniquely Subaru. That is what makes them excellent buys and interesting from the point of view of automobile historians. In this book are road & comparison tests, owner's reports, history, restoration & buying advice. Models covered: WRX, 22B STi, RB5, 2000 Turbo, P1, S201 & Prodrive.