History of the Subaru Impreza
Subaru Impreza Launched - 1992
Subaru Launched the Impreza model in November 1992. Available as either a 4-door saloon or 5-door estate (called a sports wagon), the design of the Impreza followed on from the Subaru Legacy, which had been in production for a number of years, and had won the Group-N class on the Safari Rally in 1990
Subaru Impreza Hits the UK - 1993 (MY1994)
In 1993, the Impreza was introduced to the UK market, initially as a 5-door wagon, then later as a 4-door saloon. In 1994, the UK saw the release of the turbo charged version, called the Turbo 2000 AWD. The equivalent model in Japan is called the WRX. By 1996 however, the range of engine and drive train combinations was reduced down to the 2.0 model, either normally aspirated or turbo charged, with All Wheel Drive (AWD).
Special Edition - UK - Series McRae - 1995
After winning the manufacturers and drivers World Rally Championship titles in 1995, Subaru UK released a limited edition model called the Series McRae. Revisions of the standard model included Recaro sports front seats with open head rests and Series McRae motifs, interior trimmed in Le Mans/Avus material, Sunroof, special Series McRae decals, 8-spoke gold alloy wheels, and a special blue mica paint. Only 200 Series McRae's were produced.
Special Edition - UK - Catalunya - 1996
After winning the manufacturers World Rally Championship in 1996, Subaru UK produced another special edition, this time called the Catalunya, after the round in the World Rally Championship that secured them the title. Changes over the standard model were again limited to cosmetic items, such as an interior retrim, colour coded door mirrors, special black mica paint, and air conditioning.
Model Revisions - 1996 (MY1997)
1996 saw the Subaru Impreza receive a few external cosmetic changes, along with some mechanical improvements, including, on the turbo model, a smaller turbo and a reprogrammed engine management system. The interior changes consisted of new sports seats and a different stereo. The bodywork received a revised bonnet and vents, and new headlights. In Japan, the STi 2-door body style was launched.
Model Revisions - 1997 (MY1998)
1997 saw the biggest interior revisions yet to the Impreza model, including a completely new dashboard, passenger airbag, Momo branded steering wheel, new door panels and center console. THE JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) STi models gain a new rear spoiler.
Special Edition - UK - Terzo - 1997
By now Subaru were on a roll, and secured for the third time the manufacturers title in the World Rally Championship. Again a limited edition model was released to celebrate the victory, this time called the Terzo. The name Terzo is Italian for Third, forever associating this particular model with the third win in as many years for the manufacturer. The number of models produced this time was 333, a nice association with the models name, and also allowing for a higher number of cars to hit the showrooms. Again, changes are limited to mainly cosmetic items, although this model had fixed rear seats instead of the normal folding variety, and again was supplied with air conditioning.
Special Edition - Worldwide - 22B - 1998
1998 saw the release of what many consider to be the ultimate Impreza - the 22B. Named after it 2.2ltr Boxer engine, 22B also translates to 555 in hex, Subaru's main sponsor in it rally program. Lucky coincidence? The 22B has wider arches front and rear, along with a restyled front and rear bumpers to fit, and an adjustable rear wing. Mechanically, apart from the bigger displacement engine, it depends on whether you are looking at a 'type UK' model or an import, as there are differences in spec. The UK model (of which only 16 were produced) has revised gearing better suited to UK roads. In total only 400 22B's were produced, to celebrate Subaru's 40th anniversary.
Model Revisions - 1998 (MY1999)
1998 saw another set of revisions take place, including a new front bumper, a medium level rear wing, 4-pot front brakes, and new front seats. A new Thatcham approved cat 1 alarm is fitted as standard. The engine is revised slightly, increasing output by 7bhp. The JDM STi model gain a high rear spoiler and a new suspension setup.
Model Revisions - 1999 (MY2000)
Subaru continued its trend of refining the Impreza right up until its replacement with its all new model for the 2001 model year. Changes this time included a new set of 6-spoke alloy wheels, colour coded door mirrors and door handles, and a new colour added to the range - Red Mica. The JDM STi model have a slightly refined rear spoiler, and the s201 model arrives, with some subtle styling differences, including the front bumper and rear wind, which has two horizontal sections as opposed to one.
Special Edition - UK - RB5 - 1999
In 1999, Richard Burns drove for Subaru in the World Rally Championship, and to celebrate, Subaru produced a limited edition model called the RB5. The car takes its name from Richards initials, along with the number he raced with in the 1999 season. In total 444 of the RB5's were produced, again showing Subaru's commitment to producing and supplying high quality, in-demand Impreza's. The RB5 could also be bought in WR Sport spec, which added a new high level rear wing and the Prodrive Performance Pack (PPP), which increased the power of the car. All RB5's, whether in normal or WR Sport spec, had Blue Steel paint, colour coded mirrors, handles, and side skirts, Air conditioning, retrimmed interior, and various badges and graphics on the interior and exterior.
Special Edition - UK - P1 - 1999
Other than the 16 22B's that were imported by Subaru in 1998, the UK never officially received the two door Impreza model, until the P1 was launched in 1999. Available in the same colour as the 22B, the P1 boasted a power increase up to 276bhp, 10-spoke OZ alloy wheels in titanium, quick-rack steering, a quickshift gearchange, rear wiper, front splitter and driving lamps, and a specially designed rear wing. One thousand P1's were produced, and they still command a reasonable sums of money on the second hand market today.
Special Edition - UK - Sport - 2000
Subaru released a special edition of the normally aspirated 'sport' model in 2000, which had the body styling of the turbo version, and was available in wither black or yellow, with matching interior trim.
Japanese Domestic Market - 1993-2000
WRX
The Japanese market received a number of variations of the Subaru Impreza. The base turbo model was called the WRX, and was better specified than the UK equivalent of the time. In general the body styling of the UK and JDM models was the same, although the Japanese cars received colour coded mirrors and door handles, something the UK didn't receive until the very last model revision in 1999, and a rear wash/wipe. Power wise, the JDM Impreza's quickly became more powerful than their UK counterpart, reaching 276bhp as standard by the year 2000.
STi
The Subaru Impreza STi was created using a standard production built WRX. Originally modified post production, this was changed so that the production process happened alongside the standard WRX production. Changes over the standard WRX included stronger and lighter engine components, increased maximum rpm, shorter gearing ratios, different management system, intercooler, turbo and exhaust. Cosmetically, the exterior received blanking plates rather than driving lamps, and the replacement of the standard Subaru front badge with a red STi one.
Type-R
In 1997, Subaru introduced the 2-door coupe model, called the Type-R. used for homologation purposes, the Type-R was the basis for the Subaru World Rally Car during the late 90's Rally Championship. Mechanically, the Type-R received a shorter ratio gear box, an automatic intercooler water spray (triggered by the ECU, or manually via a switch on the dashboard), 2-pot rear brakes, and was stripped of its ABS and stereo, in an effort to reduce weight and shed items not need for the conversion to group-N rally cars.
WRX RA (Race Altered) and WRX RA STi
Taking the Type-R theme a little further, the WRX RA strips out further parts deemed unnecessary for the conversion to a rally car. Based on the 4-door shell rather than the 2-door coupe, the WRX RA loses the rear wing, underseal, stereo, electric windows and sound deadening materials. Up until the introduction of the Type-R, the WRX RA was the basis for the group-N and group-A rally cars. The STI version had the higher output engine.
All New (Newage) Subaru Impreza Hits the UK - 2000 (MY2001)
Late in 2000, Subaru released the Newage Subaru Impreza. Subaru again produced the Impreza in 4 and 5-door shapes, with no hint that a 2-door coupe would be available. Subaru also took this model launch to bring some commonality across its naming structure, calling the 2.0ltr Turbo model the WRX across the world. This name had previously only been used on the JDM cars, UK cars being called the Turbo 2000 AWD. Styling wise, the 4-door Impreza received a slightly wider front track than that of the wagon, which was a departure from the previous models. The Newage model quickly became known as the Bugeye model, because of its rather awkward looking headlights, mildly reminiscent of the Ford Scorpio that was launched to much criticism from the public and motoring press alike. This criticism was not helped by the fact that the JDM version got Hid projector lamps, which improved the look considerably.
Special Edition - UK - UK300 - 2001
The UK300, of which 300 models were made, was available in World Rally Blue (WRB), had Prodrive spoilers, modified headlights, and Alacantra trim. This was the first Newage model in the UK to have the option of having the Prodrive Performance Pack (PPP) fitted.
Sti Type-UK - UK - 2001
Not long after the limited edition UK300 was launched, Subaru released the STi model in the UK. The STi Type-UK was available with the added power of Prodrive Performance Pack, should the owner feel that the standard STi Type-UK wasn't powerful enough. The STi saw the addition of a new 6-speed gearbox, larger brakes, uprated suspension, faster steering rack, and smoked projector headlights.
Japanese Domestic Market - 2001-2002
STi RA
Continuing to homologate the Impreza for rallying, Subaru produced the STi RA using the Newage bodyshell. Available only in white, and stripped of the none essential equipment needed in rallying, the STi RA has stiffer suspension and quicker steering. There is a further stripped down version available that loses the ABS, brakes and 17" wheels of the standard car. Both versions have the same gearbox as the standard Newage STi.
STi RA Spec-C
Possibly the ultimate road going homologated Impreza after the 22B, the Spec-C managed to shed 90kg off the weight of the standard STi.
s202
In 2002, Subaru released the s202, an Impreza like no other. Stripped of its Subaru badging, this was the first official (although debadging was an attempt to make it less official) Impreza to exceed the self imposed 276bhp limit that the Japanese car manufacturers had introduced some years previously, with a power output of around 320bhp. As well as the increase in power, the s202 received special RAYs alloy wheels (light weight), a carbon fibre rear wing, reprogrammed ECU, braided steel brake lines, special light weight disc brakes, and was available in black, blue, white and yellow.
Revised (Newage) Subaru Impreza Hits the UK - 2002 (MY2003)
After coming in for some heavy criticism about the looks of the Bugeye Impreza, Subaru revised the styling of the model by giving the car a complete front end redesign (courtesy of Prodrive and Peter Stevens, the man responsible for the styling of the Subaru Impreza P1). Out went the round headlights, in came a larger bonnet vent. Rear lights were also revised, and power was increased by around 10bhp on the WRX. The STi received the same cosmetic changes, but its power was maintained at 260bhp.
Special Edition - UK - WR1 - 2004
After Petter Solberg winning the Drivers title in the World Rally Championship in 2003, Subaru continued its trend of producing a limited edition model to celebrate the victory. Called the WR1 in the UK, the Impreza is available in Ice Blue, and is the first UK model to be supplied with the Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD). The WR1 came fitted with the Prodrive Performance Pack, Speedline alloy wheels and mesh grills. Again, Subaru limited the availability of the WR1, keeping the production count down to 500. The WR1 was, to date, the most powerful Subaru Impreza available officially on the UK market.
Model Revisions - 2004 (MY2005)
In keeping with Subaru's desire to keep improving the brand, the 2004 revisions saw the standard STi Type-UK receive mechanical revisions in keeping with Subaru's Japanese Domestic Market cars. The STi Type-UK received a revised chassis, with a longer and wider rear track, geometry and camber/castor settings from the Spec-C, a new front limited slip diff, the Driver Controlled Center Diff (DCCD) previously only available on the WR1, wider wheels, and new aerodynamic aids with the additions of flat engine and floor covers. The WRX received the same inverted suspension struts as the STi and revised steering.
Links
Most of the information on this page has been gathered from various sources across the web, including the following -
