Subaru WRX STI: PH Fleet
Repeat after me: it's not an Impreza, it's not an Impreza...
Not much changed under here - good
Why a NotImpreza when the rest of the world has opened up and said R? The 300hp Mega Golf has, after all, effectively gentrified Subaru's home turf with socially acceptable packaging and, cough, tempting finance packages. Well, as a former Impreza owner and instinctive champion of the underdog I wanted to see if the WRX STI is still relevant. After all, the fundamental package hasn't really changed much in almost two decades. Yet the performance, technology, capability and ambition of similarly priced hot hatches has undergone little short of revolution. In the Mitsubishi Evo the Impreza had the perfect nemesis. Against the likes of the Audi S3, Golf R, A45 AMG and others it's all of a sudden got a very different fight on its hands, even with more favourable exchange rates.
Same old same old in here too
It's going to be hard to talk about the Subaru without mentioning that ruddy Golf as a counterpoint so I'll attempt to park my thoughts on that matter until ... our long-term Golf R turns up in March. Running both side-by-side will be really interesting, especially given I seem to be the only person in the world not yet won over by the VW. I'm already stockpiling my ammo...
For now I'll concentrate on the first impressions. And much like the launch drive the immediate one is quite how pointy the front end has become. I never remember this being a Subaru trait back in the day but much of the work that's gone into this 'new' WRX STI has seemingly targeted steering response, be that the 140 per cent increase in body stiffness to the super quick 12.7:1 steering rack - 15 per cent quicker than the 14.8:1 of the old one. Lower hardpoints for the rear suspension have increased rear toe-in too, further heightening the steering response to almost hyperactive levels. It is, at least, hydraulically assisted and the feel is a reminder of what we're missing with most electric set-ups.
Repeat after me, it's not an Impreza...
Other things are more familiar. The bobbing nose, the tightly gated and very mechanical feeling shift action, short gearing, the brilliantly placed pedals and need to get the revs and boost off the floor before anything meaningful happens are all very traditional Impr- ... Subaru traits. Likewise the default to understeer that the unadventurous will think is all that happens when you gas it on a wet corner. It's not of course, a lift and tuck opening up a whole load more options, especially with the centre diff set to Auto minus.
Split the difference - tweakability that works
The apparent size of the thing is a shock though. The wing doesn't help but the back end looks huge, especially parked alongside my Eunos. And I'm still flinching every time I close the boot - as it swings down it feels like the wing is going to chin you. It does look properly outrageous though, the way it frames the view in the mirror constantly reminding you of its presence. File under guilty pleasure.
Won't win any beauty contests - t'was ever thus
And the thirst? I had to scrape my jaw off the floor when I arrived at the office with a trip computer mpg figure starting with a three. The Germans have mastered nailing the official numbers to their benefit but if this real-world figure is true out on the road the Subaru might not actually be as far off the pace as first thought, especially if previous experience of surprisingly thirsty hot Golfs is carried over to the incoming R.
FACT SHEET
Car: 2014 Subaru WRX STI
Run by: Dan
On fleet since: December 2014
Mileage: 2,636
List price new: £28,995 (£30,007 as tested including £1,012 for Pioneer touchscreen navigation unit; c. £75 fitting charge applicable but varies according to dealership)
Last month at a glance: Time travel Subaru takes us straight back to the late 90s
Photos: Anthony Fraser
In terms of competitors, I guess the article touches upon this versus the current high-powered hot hatch league. It's perhaps more of an old school outlook and more dynamic proposition for those that think refinement is an option rather than a prerequisite in modern motoring.
I for one have been looking at the older generation of Imprezas right up to but not including when they brought in the 2.5 in the UK. My other half thinks they're a bit on the naff side but I've always wanted one and she has her own car so yeah
Plus, I'm used to the petrol economics having spent a year with my shed-priced Coupe 
But the competition have raised the bar too high.
Performance = not much in it?
Looks = subjective (I still love a good old blue Impreza thanks to McRae, Burns etc), but the Golf is just classier
Interior = golf r wins
Driving = no idea, but reviews seem to give the nod to the Golf
On paper, the economy is the worse for the Not Impreza, particularly the emissions.
I think it has its work cut out.
PS is it just me or is it a dead ringer for a civic type r saloon?
My only reservation is the front wheelarches are totally flat and look as if someone had driven the car through too tight a gap and thought I'll just get it sprayed rather than reshape the damage.
Other than that a real return to form and would have dreamed of fuel consumption in the 30's with my old car.
And, yes, that is a Golf R in shot too, by pure fluke!
Cheers,
Dan
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