THE Subaru Impreza WRX is one of the great bargains of performance motoring. Relatively cheap, extremely fast thanks to its turbocharged 2.0-litre "boxer" engine and offering tonnes of grip courtesy of its all-wheel drive chassis, there's no wonder it has sold in its thousands. And yet the second generation version launched in 2000 was heavier and slower than its predecessor, and the styling was heavily criticised. Since then there's even been a price cut to coincide with the 2002 model year versions. Which is what we are testing here, the less popular hatchback combined with the new four-speed automatic transmission.

Subaru Impreza WRX
Released: February 94
Ended: October 00
Family Tree: ImprezaThe WRX was Subaru's golden car of the 1990s. Marketed cannily on the back of the company's rallying exploits and launched as the boom in four-cylinder sport tuning took off here, the WRX was a sales and image star. Little changed over its six-year run, power from the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine rising just five kilowatts. But then, little needed to change - it was an excellent package from day one.
Facebook Twitter Instagram