This month we see the launch of the acclaimed Prodrive Performance Packs (PPPs) for the new-look Subaru Impreza and Forester, along with a limited edition version of the Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX. Bear with me as I try to make sense of it all for you...

First up is the limited edition Impreza; the 'Type UK' is to be offered only as a saloon and comes as standard with a 227bhp version of the new 2.5-litre boxer engine. The list price of £20,945 includes £3,635 worth of optional extras:

- Five year/50,000 miles' free servicing: worth over £1,000
- Five year/100,000 miles' extended warranty: worth £1,000
- Theft-tracking system, satellite navigation and touch screen: worth £1,100
- Bluetooth hands-free phone kit: worth £285
- Five years' roadside recovery: worth £250

Better get your order in though; Subaru's offer ends on June 30.

Thankfully, the PPPs are here to stay. Both the Impreza 2.5 WRX and the 2.5 WRX STi can be fitted with a PPP. In the case of the regular WRX, peak power is boosted to 266bhp (up 39bhp). Though the maximum torque is increased by a useful 74lb.ft (up to 310lb.ft now), it is worth noting that Prodrive has managed to move the torque curve so that this peak is now at just 3000rpm (it was 3600rpm), which should give the PPP-equipped car a more tractable nature.

Similar increases are claimed for the Impreza 2.5 WRX STi (see the table below for full details) and the Forester 2.5 XT, though the PPP can only be fitted to the manual version.

The PPP kits appear to be a bit of a bargain too, selling for £1,700 including fitting at any Subaru dealer. The fitting of the pack will not affect the cars' warranty and even after fitting, they all pass UK Type Approval regulations for noise and emissions.

How do they do it? Well, the extra power and torque are achieved by re-programmed engine computers along with the replacement of the rear catalytic converter with a high-flow catalyst and sports silencer. The Impreza WRX STI also has a new high-flow fuel pump.

	Peak power		Peak torque		0-60mph
Car	Standard	PPP	Standard	PPP	Standard	PPP
Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX STi	278bhp at 6000rpm	316bhp at 5600rpm	289lb.ft at 4000rpm	332lb.ft at 3700rpm	5 secs	4.8 secs
Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX	227bhp	266bhp at 5700rpm	236lb.ft at 3600rpm	310lb.ft at 3000rpm	5.9 secs	5.3 secs
Subaru Forester 2.5 XT (manual)	226bhp	256bhp at 5600rpm	236lb.ft at 3600rpm	300lb.ft at 3000rpm	5.9 secs	5.3 secs

Shane O' Donoghue - 10 Apr 2006