STREET FIGHTER
Early versions of the rally-proven Subaru Impreza are fi nally losing
their boy racer image and are starting to become collectable.
Words: Iain Wakefi eld
Classic Car Mart Spring 2016 67
New Age Classics: Subaru Impreza
1996 Impreza WRX
ENGINE: 1994cc fl at-four
POWER: 276bhp at 6500rpm
TORQUE: 242 lb.ft at 400rpm
TOP SPEED: 135mph
0-6-mph: 4.7 sec
GEARS: 5-spd man
WEIGHT: 1250kg
I
f you’re still of the opinion the typical
owner of a fi rst generation Subaru
Impreza WRX is a shell-suited hooligan
driving his steed between traffi c lights
like it’s competing in a stage of the
World Rally Championship, then it’s time to think
again. Despite the fact the car in question may
be dressed up with a set of bright blue rally-style
mudfl aps and have an exhaust pipe the size of an
oil drum poking out from under the rear bumper,
early Imprezas, especially the turbo powered
examples, are thankfully starting to lose their
‘bad boy’ image and are currently knocking on
the door of new age classic status.
Introduced in 1992, the four-door MkI Subaru
Impreza replaced the Leone. However, according
to offi cial photographs the new Subaru was
originally going to be badged as the Loyale, but the
name was changed as production got underway.
Choice of engines at launch for the new Impreza
were virtually the same in all markets and included
either a naturally aspirated 1.6, 1.8 or 2-litre
version of the company’s recently introduced EJ
series of 16-valve fl at-fours available in either SOHC
or DOHC formats.
According to Subaru, the continuing use of
a boxer-style engine to power the new model
gave the Impreza a very useful low centre of
gravity. Vibration was kept to a minimum too,
as the outward thrust from each piston tended
to be countered by its opposite number, while
equal length and weight driveshafts helped
eliminate torque steer. Entry-level two-wheel drive
LX-badged Imprezas were powered by a 1.6-litre
The Impreza's turbocharged 2-litre sits well down in the engine bay, the boxer layout giving it a low
centre of gravity, which combined with all-wheel drive provides an impressive level of grip.