Subaru WRX STI: PH Fleet

Repeat after me: it's not an Impreza, it's not an Impreza...

Already christened The NotImpreza in the PH office I know the WRX STI has long-since ditched that iconic name. But, like the M3 coupe we're supposed to call an M4, reflexes are hard to unlearn.

Not much changed under here - good

Look at the evidence too. Scoop'n'wing combo? Check. Slightly flaky interior? Check. Burbly exhaust? Check. Official 'B-road' weapon demeanour? Check. Of course it's an Impreza, in all but name. And what about the familiar extreme thirst? Get back to you on that.

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

From the launch you'll recall readiness to administer the coup de grace. Especially after the chosen venue of a small handling track in Sweden showed off little more than darty steering, stubborn understeer and performance around 100hp down on what the looks promised. And then some Swedish B-roads happened.

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...

But on first acquaintance the front end is so eager it makes finding that familiar B-road flow rather tricky - the damned thing responds so fast to steering inputs you end up jinking this way and that. I'm adapting to it but it's a real shocker at first.

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

This 'open' setting is less assertive about sending power to the front wheels, freeing them up to concentrate on steering and allowing the rear axle more influence in cornering attitude. I'd swear the steering feels nicer in this setting as a result. Winter roads were always going to show the WRX STI in its best light but already my stock test slip road on the evening commute has seen a couple of delightful four-wheel drifts, steering dead ahead and throttle holding just a little bit of yaw. Lovely stuff.

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

Moans? Well, the Pioneer touchscreen system is one example of where Subaru can't match fully integrated VW/Audi/Merc style infotainment systems. Looking at the spec sheet Subaru has amusingly added 'four-cylinder Boxer engine burble' in the 'Entertainment' section but the reality is this unit is a £1,012 plus fitting (c. £75, depending on dealership) option. The only added to our car, for what it's worth.

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

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Zammy

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