#02#When Subaru announced the arrival of a new spec.D WRX STI Impreza and then claimed that the 'D' stands for "discreet", I pictured a big sieve, into which Subaru placed all the bits of the regular, full-fat WRX STI and then threw away the look-at-me parts that were left behind. What was I thinking?
Subaru's use of the word discreet is relative only to the raw aggression of the regular
Impreza WRX STI. Out go the huge rear main spoiler and the extra one above the rear window, both replaced by a single smaller item. Silver instead of gold 17-inch alloy wheels fill the (still bulging) wheelarches. At the front, the lower grille is different and the spec.D features projector foglamps. Your average bystander is unlikely to mistake this Impreza for a regular model thanks to distinctly special-looking tyres and a body kit that is still more snorting rhino than cute bunny rabbit.
Indeed, we don't think that Subaru has gone far enough with the aesthetics and we'll take this opportunity to ask what the company was thinking when it changed the rear lights for the new clear versions that look too much like something you'd find in a cheap car tuning shop? A smaller bonnet scoop would have been welcome too, though perhaps that was not possible from a functionality point of view.
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Inside, the changes making up the spec.D are worthwhile. Black leather seats are fitted in place of the usual sporty items and they lift the ambience no end. Extra equipment includes a SmartNav satnav system, a thumping 200-watt CD-tuner (with MP3 compatibility and MP3 player jack) and a Bluetooth hands-free phone kit. The passengers are also treated to black instead of blue carpets and extra sound deadening.
There can't be much extra sound insulation though, as this car is
loud. Whether you are inside or out, the Impreza WRX STI emits a high decibel bark when ambling along, that turns into a war cry when pushing on. Unfortunately for fans of the off-beat warble of the traditional boxer engines, the exhaust note from this 2.5-litre four-cylinder is not quite as distinctive as it once was, instead being readily comparable to the
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo on sound terms.
Speaking of the arch enemy, we were over the moon when Subaru adopted the DCCD (Driver Controlled Centre Differential) for the regular WRX STI and it is carried over to the spec.D. Keen drivers will twirl it rearwards most of the time, for a nice rear-led balance that allows you to get back on the power early out of practically any corner. There is no body roll to speak of and semi-slick tyres work hard for their living. The only downside is the stiff ride, which won't matter if you live near and use only smooth roads, but our bumpiest B-road test route was just plain uncomfortable, jiggling the occupants around like glass bottles rolling around the bottom of an empty shopping trolley. Admittedly, when driving hard, the extra body control and agility afforded by the stiff set-up may be worth the price to pay in terms of comfort, depending on your priorities.
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Subaru fans will love the new Impreza spec.D just as much as every other quick version that has gone before, but outsiders to the whole phenomenon are still not going to be tempted by this supposedly discreet version. There's room for another model in the range. This car is business as usual.
Subaru Impreza UK range overview
Four-door saloon:
- Subaru Impreza 2.0R Sport: £16,225
- Subaru Impreza 2.0R Sport Automatic: £17,275
- Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX: £20,945
- Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX Type UK: £21,845
- Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX SL: £22,445
- Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX SL Type UK: £24,345
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Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX-STi Type UK: £27,040
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Subaru Impreza WRX STI spec.D: £28,540
Five-door wagon:
- Subaru Impreza 2.0R: £16,225
- Subaru Impreza 2.0R Sport: £16,725
- Subaru Impreza 2.0R Sport Automatic: £17,775
- Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX: £21,445
- Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX SL: £22,945
