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The Subaru Impreza WRX is a high-powered,
turbocharged version of the
Subaru
Impreza, a small
all wheel drive sedan. The WRX has become an
icon for
automobile enthusiasts wherever it is sold for its high performance,
excellent grip and handling, practicality, and relatively affordable price
(approximately $45,000 Australian, or $25,000 US).
Originally introduced in
1992 in
Japan, then shortly afterwards in
Australia and
Britain, the WRX had a turbocharged flat-4 2-litre
engine producing 155
kilowatts of power (208
horsepower). Compared to the base Impreza, the WRX had wider
low-profile tyres, larger brakes (further improved in later versions with
the fitment of four-piston calipers and larger discs), and firmer, higher
quality suspension components. Offering the performance and handling of
vehicles of far higher cost, it rapidly became popular with enthusiasts
worldwide. Indeed, it gained a reputation as a popular getaway car for
robberies because the car's precise, yet forgiving, handling meant that
even inexperienced drivers were able to handle it at high speeds.
A series of low-volume versions with even greater power and grip were
built by Subaru's in-house modifier,
Subaru Tecnica International (STi). These versions are often raced,
largely unmodified, in production car circuit racing and stock classes of
car rallies to great success. A highly modified version is raced in
the WRC class of the
World Rally Championship, in which it has been competitive for many
years.
In the
2002 model year, an all-new version of the car was released, finally
appearing in the
United States, with a 169 kW (227 HP) engine. While the new model was
more refined and handled better, it was not as popular with enthusiasts
since its greater weight hampered performance slightly. A higher-powered
engine fitted to the Japanese market version remedied that problem
somewhat. In addition to the sedan model, a 5-door wagon was offered, and
met with brisk sales. Even so, the exterior styling was widely regarded as
somewhat unattractive. As a result, in an unusually early revamp, Subaru
updated the style again for the 2003 model year.
In the 2004 model year, Subaru began selling the highly
performance-tuned WRX STi in the United States, with a 2.5-litre engine
producing 224 kW (300 HP).
The Subaru Impreza WRX is to be the base for the
Saab 9-2.
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