Model Page

Subaru Impreza 2nd Generation

Produced:	2001-2007
Built:	Japan
Engine:	Subaru EJ Boxer Flat Four 2.0ltr /2.5ltr
0-60:	4.6-5.8 (Model Dependent)
Max Speed:	148-155 limited (Model dependent)

2001 WRX

It was in the new millennium where we saw a completely re-designed Impreza. The car was nicknamed ‘bugeye’ due to the shape of the front headlights. Many believe that Subaru wished to aim the car at wider audience by reducing the aggressive look of the car by softening its appearance. This was met with mixed opinions. Realising this Subaru made available WRC look alike headlamps. These however were quite expensive to purchase. This generation Subaru grew in size and subsequently weight. A coupe version was no longer available.

This generation Impreza chassis was referred to as the GD series and remained mostly unmodified until 2008. It is claimed that the GD chassis had 148 percent more torsional stiffness and 82 percent stiffer beam rigidity over the GC series chassis. The cars handling was therefore dramatically improved and drivers commented on the increased cornering stability. The chassis had a 20mm wider track than its predecessor to further improve handling. The GD chassis scored very highly in the ncap safety rating tests. There were a few draw backs with the GD series chasiss. With all the extra safety equipment found onboard the vehicle along with the extra steel the car gained 200 kg. This did have a negative impact on the cars manueverability.

UK 300

Subaru labelled all turbo models with the name WRX previously only Japan manufactured cars were labelled WRX. Success in the 2001 WRC saw Richard Burns take the drivers title. To celebrate Subaru relesed the uk300. Called 300 as only 300 of these cars were produced for the UK market. Available only in WR Blue. Prodrive designed a one off rear spoiler for the car. Additional cosmetic modifications included 18 inch Prodrive OZ wheels in gold and the aforementioned WRC cluster front head lights. The UK300 was available with a PPP (Prodrive Performance Pack) costing £1600. Power was increased from the standard WRX 218 bhp to 245 bhp. Peter Stevens the Mclaren f1 and WRC car designer was bought in to sculpt the UK300 body in an attempt to reduce high speed lift. At 100 mph front lift is reduced from 35.6 lbs to 27.8 lbs. The rear lift is also reduced from 29.6lbs to 20.7 lbs. An overall reduction of 25.6 percent. This extra downforce enchanced tyre grip and improved the cars handling. With 225/40 Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tyres the car was admired for its road holding abilities.

STI

Brembo Brakes

In 2001 Subaru released the Impreza WRX STI to the UK. Prodrive provided a performance pack for the car which further increased horsepower and torque to 305bhp. The STI came with a new 6 speed gearbox and headlights similar to those found on the UK300. The vehicle gained 17” high and 7.5” wide gold wheels. The engine is that found in the versions 6 STI however the turbo chargers were changed. The instrument panel was revised with the STI logo. A red rev warning light was installed that could be adjusted by the driver. The STI received Brembo 4 pot front and 2 pot rear brakes. The STI’s had larger intercooler scoops and fog light covers with the STI logo imprinted on them. In Japan a STI Type RA was produced which was vertually identical to the aforemneiontd Sti however the brakes were Subaru’s 4 pot front and 2 pot rear discs. In 2002 for the Japanese market Peter Stevens altered the grill and body of the WRX Sti. The approach was to give the car a more angled body when viewed from the side. The foglight covers had pink STi lettering.

WRX STI SPEC C

SPEC C

2002 saw the WRX Type RA STI dropped for a new WRX STI Spec C. This model was much lighter than the WRX Type RA as it received lighter glass and body panels. The Spec C's handling was much improved due to an increase in caster (from 3.5 degrees to 5 degrees). This was accomplished by lengthening the wheelbase by 15mm. This could be achieved by changing the suspension control arms. This increased caster significantly and would help the turn-in capabilities of the car. The Spec C also has a steering rack ratio of 13:1. The transmission is supplied with its own oil cooler.

MY03

2003 WRX

2003 saw the release of the MY03 impreza. Realising that the bugeye Impreza had alienated many enthusiasts Subaru redesigned the front end of the car. The front lights were changed and a slightly larger air intake was fitted. The WRX model HP was increased by 10 to 225bhp. The Impreza range except the STI had smaller front fog lights and the front Light clusters had integrated indicators parking lights, headlights and full beam, housed in a clear lens. The rear light clusters were re-designed to integrate with the lines of the rear quarter panel and bumpers. All the Impreza’s had a titanium coloured centre console with air vent surrounds, which helped reduce the cabin glare. Interestingly in America the Impreza was not officially released. All Impreza were classified as imports. The stringent emissions and Americas fuel meant the 2.0 litre did not push out anywhere near the horsepower of the UK or Japan versions. Therefore Subaru fitted a 2.5 boxer engine

The 2003 STI was similar to the 2002 model however a distinctive feature was the enormous air scoop designed to allow extra air to hit the intercooler. Front suspension rigidity had been strengthened by adding a performance rod to the front cross member and by strengthening the mounts of the transverse linkages. This resulted in a much improved steering response. Rear cross member reinforcement brackets have been added. To help reduce the road noise and vibration the rear cross member bushings were modified. Impreza WRX and STi models have a double locking system on all doors that can normally only be activated or deactivated by the remote control. 2004 saw Subaru’s driver Petter Solberg win the WRC driver’s championship. As you might expect Subaru released a formidable road going special edition.

WR1

WR1

The car was called ‘WR1’. Available only in Ice blue and very rare as only 500 of these were manufactured. The car was equipped with a 320bhp engine at a relatively low 5,800 rpm, with maximum torque of 309.8 lbs.ft at 4,000 rpm. The WR1 would reach 60mph in 4.25 seconds and go onto 100mph in only 10.67 seconds. The car was supplied with DCCD. Also new for the WR1 were special Prodrive developed uprated springs and bump stops with a 25 mm lower ride height. Cosmetic modifications saw the car fitted with 18 “ diameter PFF7 (Prodrive Flow Forming seven spoke) alloy wheels wrapped with 225/45 Pirelli PZero tyres and a stainless steel mesh grille. Interior changes included anthracite instead of the STI blue suede effect seats, a one off WR1 gear knob and WR1 embroiled carpet mats. The tax disc holder engraved the edition number. The Subaru Impreza WRX STI (MY05) also saw further improvements in 2004 with upgraded mechanics from the Japanese models. This new revised STI saw a new front diff, along with the DCCD system which was found on the WR1.

WRX STI SPEC C TYPE RA (2004)

2004 saw the introduction of the WRX STI Spec C Type RA released with a carbon fiber rear wing and a carbon fiber front splitter. It featured one off BBS alloy wheels as well as a tuned engine. The WRX STI V-limited was also released that year. The was equipped with 4 way dampers tuned by Subaru World Rally Team's Group N driver Toshi Arai. The car also contained a carbon fibre front lip. The car was designed to be used for Group N rallying.

MY05

MY05 STI

Yet another restyled Impreza arrived on the scene in 2005. Designers altered the bumpers, grill, bonnet vents, front and rear light clusters. The lower potion of the rear light cluster was a clear lenses. The car received a rear diffuser and a roof spoiler to aid flow to the rear spoiler. The STI was available with 17” multi spoke gold alloy wheels. The entire range had a slightly redesigned centre console and front wrap around seats. The Large air vent found on the previous model was reduced in size. The dash board on the STI is digital. The red needles against the red speedometer gave the car a very modern feel. 2005 marked the end of the 2.0 litre boxer engine. To improve torque rather than horsepower a 2.5 litre boxer engine was installed.

All STIs received additional rear fender flaring in order accommodate the wider wheels which were increased to 8” from the 7.5” used on previous models. Minor downside to this was the reduced steering lock turns. Wheel hubs also had to be strengthened. The 2005 WRX STI receives the same increase in wheelbase as the aforementioned Spec C. All STIs received additional rear fender flaring in order to accommodate an increase in wheel size. The wheel size went from 17" x 7.5" to 17" x 8". In accordance with the increased wheel width, steering lock-to-lock turns were reduced. Wheel hub strength was improved.

STI SPEC C TYPE RA (2005)

The WRX STI Spec C Type RA was released in November 2005. Compared to the Impreza WRX STI type RA, Impreza WRX STI spec C is about 90kg lighter by reducing the weight of the glass windows in addition to a thinner roof construction and a trunk lid. A rear crossbar has been fitted to enhance the cars body rigidity. The turbocharger uses precise ball bearings in the shaft to reduce friction therefore providing a much smoother and quicker power increase. The IC (Intercooler) spray reservoir has been made bigger along with na air cooled engine oil cooler. This prevents the oil from becoming too warm and maintains the engine efficiency. Only 350 spec C Type RA’s were manufactured. The Type RA was equipped with a host of parts from the STI range. These included the 4way STI adjustable inverted struts. Japan spec STI pink springs, STI rear lateral links and rear trailing links. The Arai 21 mm rear sway bar and the rear pillowball suspension was included. The type RA also featured a 110 mm opening rear axle back exhaust. 17" x 8" wide Enkei alloys. The cars appearance was complete with the older STI V lip front spoiler.

2006 saw little changes to the Impreza range. The WRX STI Spec C receives tuned dampers and the SPEC C Type RA Arai 21 mm swaybar. The rear suspension bushes are changed from rubber to pillowball bushes. The strut tower was further stiffened for improved handling and stability. The strut towers were also reinforced to improve the road holding capabilities of the car. The DCCD is updated with the use of a torque-sensing mechanism. The torque split is changed to 41 front to 59 rear. The WRX STI Spec C was used for Group N homologation.

SPEC D

A toned down STI was made available. It was called the Spec D. It is similar to the Japanese spec A Line with the exception of regular Impreza WRX spoiler on the boot, silver wheels and without the rear roof spoiler. A Pioneer DEH-P70BT sound system with an output of 200 W and a plug in I Pod adapter is also supplied. This comes with a Bluetooth phone connection. The car was equipped with leather seats and door trims. To keep the occupants cool Subaru fitted the car as standard with A/C (Air Conditioning). It was limited to a run of 300 cars and available only in Crystal Grey Metallic. Power on this model is rated at 280 bhp (209 kW). It has a 0-60 time of 5 seconds and a top speed of 158 mph.

RB320

2005 was a sad year for motorsport and particularly sad for Subaru fans who saw Richard Burns pass away in November 25th 2005. To show Subaru fans just how much Richard meant to them they released the RB320 in 2007. RB of course being Richards initials and 320 relating to the numbers built. All RB 320’s edition were painted Obsidian Black Pearl. The car produces 316 hp 332 ft lbf of torque due to tuning by Prodrive. The suspension has been upgraded with Eibach springs accompanied by an Eibach rear stabilizer bar and Blistein struts. The car sits on one off 18" black anthracite alloys. The ride height was dropped by 30 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear. A £1500 option on the car was to have the interior changed to a black leather/alcantara with RB320 stitching on the seat and a new shift knob. The car as standard came with silver mesh grilles.

Additional Impreza editions included the S202, S203, S204. There were only available for the Japanese markets. Each car used STI parts and occasionally one off components to make the cars unique.

WRX STI SPEC C TYPE RA-R

STI SPEC C TYPE RA-R

The WRX STI SPEC C TYPE RA-R was available on order in late 2006 and released in 2007. Another rally spec version of the Impreza was born. Limited to only 300 numbers. Similar in performance to the aforementioned S204. With over 320 horsepower at 6400 rpm and 318 lb-ft at 4400 rpm of torque the RA-R will hit 60 in well under 5 seconds. This power is available thanks to a enlarged turbo and re-mapped ECU. Engineers helped the car breath by improving the air flow into the engine and designing an exhaust that helps the air escape quickly. The car is lowered all round by 15mm. The wheels are white 18" multispoke alloys and the car sports 6-piston brakes callipers. Cosmetically the car’s shell is essentially left alone with the exception of black front lip spoiler and a roof vane. Options include a cherry red accent line that encompasses the centre grille's inner surround. An optional carbon fiber rear wing and a different BBS wheels. Interior options include Recaro buckets, and a new gear knob.