Subaru Impreza GB270
In terms of bringing rally-style thrills to British B roads, Subarus Impreza is where it all started, at least in its sportiest forms. Latterly, these have been offered to buyers either in WRX or STI guises, with the 2.5-litre 230PS WRX the better buy of the two thanks to its affordable price, more forgiving suspension and near comparable performance. Now, the current generation is due to be replaced but before it goes, Subaru are offering the limited run GB270 variant were looking at here.
Before we begin, I should explain the GB270 bit. GB refers to Rally GB, the World Rally Championship stage upon which the Impreza has enjoyed so much of its success. And 270? Thats the uprated Prodrive-inspired output now available from the pokier engine. This Prodrive Performance Pack makes quite a difference too.
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9 instead of 14.4 seconds. Mid-range response is also substantially improved. The Impreza GB270 comes well equipped too, offering around £7,600 in extra equipment on the saloon version and just under £7,000 for the Sports Wagon five-door variant.
Both models cost £22,995 on-the-road thats £2,898 or £1,898 more than the standard Impreza WRX saloon and Sports Wagon models respectively. Numbers will be strictly limited to 300 for the Impreza GB270 saloon and 100 for the Sports Wagon. Shared features for both bodystyles include a lowered spring kit, a quickshift gearchange, special carpet mats, a MOMO Air-Race gear knob, larger-diameter 18x7.5ins GT1 alloy wheels, GB270 exterior badging and an individually numbered interior plaque.
Specific equipment for the GB270 saloon includes a WRC-style rear spoiler, a stainless-steel mesh front grille, an STI front lip spoiler and silver-finished alloy wheels. Helping the GB270 Sports Wagon version stand out is a rear waist spoiler, front and rear aero splash guards, rear privacy glass, a black stainless-steel mesh front grille and gloss-black alloy wheels.
"With these final GB270 Impreza WRX variants, Subaru appears to have pitched for the position of best rally replica around"
In addition, both models will be available with an optional ICE pack consisting of a Clarion SatNav and iPod adaptor and Bluetooth phone kit for £1,750. Other extra-cost upgrades include a GB270-branded leather or Alcantara/leather interior for £1,400 or £1,600 respectively and privacy glass window tinting for the saloon at £405. Thats the marketing side taken care of but what of the Impreza WRX itself? Well, the change to the 2.5-litre powerplant is relatively recent, introduced for the 06 model year.
Thisw brought far more useable power low down in the rev-range, just where you need it for everyday driving. The downside of the engine change was that CO2 emissions suffered and with them the cars BIK tax banding (which jumped from 30% to 35%). Fuel consumption also slipped, from more than 30mpg to 27.4mpg.
As befits true driving enthusiasts, the engineers at Subaru have spent most effort fine tuning the engine, suspension, bodyshell and steering. As with so many evolutionary models, this generation Impreza range emerges as a better car, although perhaps not quite so exciting as the original first generation model. It certainly feels a more mature proposition. The exterior is distinctive, especially in GB270 guise, and although the single nostril front grille brings to mind some coke-ravaged Z-list celeb, it combines well with the hawk-eye headlights to give the Impreza a more aggressive personality than ever before.
Subaru seems to have jumped onto the clear lensed tail lights bandwagon just as most other manufacturers have jumped off and they dont do a lot to lift the impression of overall quality. Despite its many facelifts and revisions, the Impreza never feels like a thoroughly modern car. The doors clang shut, the trim feels cheap and hard in almost every area and the seating position is far from ideal. Occupant safety has also been boosted in recent times with the fitment of anti-raindrop door mirrors which stay cleaner longer, thus enhancing visibility.
The Impreza also takes a cue from the Forester, featuring active front head-restraints which reduce the risk of whiplash injuries. The brake pedal is energy-absorbing, being designed to snap away under severe impact, protecting the drivers lower limbs. In the rear seat are two ISOFIX-compatible child seat mountings. Subaru has had to think long and hard about the positioning of the Impreza 2.
5 WRX, and with these final GB270 variants, appears to have pitched for the position of best rally replica around. In going head to head with cheaper versions of Mitsubishis Evo, the WRX model has a tough task on its hands, but many will be seduced by the more characterful engine, the more evocative rally heritage of Burns and McRae and, to these eyes at least, the more menacing styling. Subaru have listened to customers in making the recent improvements and the Impreza is a better car as a result.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Subaru Impreza GB270
PRICE: £22,995 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 19
CO2 EMISSIONS: 244g/km
PERFORMANCE: [WRX 5dr] Max Speed 143mph/ 0-60mph 5.3s ECONOMY: (urban) 19.6mpg / (extra urban) 35.8mpg /(combined) 27.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Drive and passenger airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [saloon] Length/Width/Heightmm 4465/1740/1440
