When Subaru launched the 2008 WRX in a five-door hatchback body style, ardent fans were not so pleased.
It was nowhere as groundbreaking as the original. In fact, it looked anonymous.
It was Subaru’s fault, of course. In its 15-year history, the Impreza WRX always stood out in a crowd.
Not because it was beautiful or pretty but because it had many subtle styling details that made it instantly obvious that this was a four-wheeled athlete.
Well, we hate to disappoint you, but the four-door, booted sedan that joins the hatchback does nothing to alleviate the Subaru Impreza WRX 2.5’s mundane aesthetics.
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At least the mesh grille is more up-to-date and the tail lamps no longer look like cheap retrofits.
The wheelbase is identical to the hatchback model’s but an additional 165mm behind the rear wheels provide a useful increase in boot space.
The specification sheet says that the Subaru Impreza WRX 2.5 sedan weighs 1395kg, the same as the hatchback. So, the difference is down to taste.
Interior is exactly the same size as the Subaru Impreza WRX hatchback’s.
But, wait a minute. When did any Subaru Impreza WRX 2.5 owner ever discuss the way the car looks inside or out? Isn’t this car all about moving from point A to point B in the quickest and most exhilarating manner?
That really is the point about the “Rex”. None of the numbers on the specification table will prepare you for the experience of firing this car down the road.
Plenty of cars today deliver 230bhp or more, but the Subaru Impreza WRX has its own peculiar and inimitable manner. The power delivery is not linear and you need the engine to be spinning past 2500rpm before the surge – that addictive surge – hits you.
Maybe that’s the secret of the Impreza WRX magic – a touch of turbo-lag before the hyper-action.
Strange as it may sound, you begin to like the idea of having to slow down, only because you get yet another opportunity to shift to a lower gear and experience that full-boost lunge.
Mild understeer at the start of a fast corner is only there for the driver to get a feel of the front wheels, before it settles comfortably into a neutral behaviour.
You need to understand and appreciate the intellect behind the bland appearance of the Subaru Impreza WRX saloon.
Go beyond first acquaintance and you’ll be glad you did, because you will discover that this is one of the best driver’s car in its class.
2008 Subaru Impreza WRX 2.5
ENGINE 2457cc, 16-valves, flat-4, turbocharged
MAX POWER 230bhp at 5200rpm
MAX TORQUE 320Nm at 2800rpm
GEARBOX 5-speed manual
0-100KM/H 6.5 seconds
TOP SPEED 209km/h
CONSUMPTION 9.6km/L
PRICE INCL. COE $80,388
