| Run-Out Special Edition | Subaru Impreza GB270 |

Dedicating one final engineering fling to a car that battled along the UK's toughest B-roads, with as much enthusiasm as any a supercar could muster, is a bit of a no-brainer. And so Subaru has graced us with one last version of the Impreza, before it is replaced by a hatchback. Only 300 Subaru Impreza GB270 saloons will be built, along with 100 Sports Wagons, each with an individually numbered plaque.

The GB270 takes its name from both the Impreza's most successful WRC stage - the Rally GB - and also Prodrive's powerplant tinkering that has boosted power up to nearly 270bhp. The British firm has also managed to squeeze an extra 74lb.ft from the 2.5-litre unit, which now pushes out a useful 310lb.ft of torque.

That's not all though; Subaru has thrown most of its extras catalogue into the GB270 meaning it has gained £7,600 worth of upgrades, tweaks and toys for actually only a £2,898 increase over the standard WRX. The Sports Wagon also carries about £7,000 of additions that only add £1,898 to the price tag. Both versions cost a tempting £22,995 on-the-road.

The extras include a Prodrive Performance Pack, increasing outright pace and mid-range response thanks to the extra torque. The 0-60mph sprint is slashed to 5.3 seconds whilst 0-100mph is a blink under 14 seconds. A lowered spring kit has been fitted to improve cornering and give the Impreza a bit extra masculinity in its stance on the road, whilst a 'quickshift' gear change is also fitted to bring you that bit closer to feeling McRae-ish. A special Momo 'Aero Race' gear knob and carpet mats make up the interior improvements, although for an additional £1,780 one can indulge in an ICE pack that provides a Clarion satnav, iPod adaptor and Bluetooth phone kit. Furthermore, you can opt for leather or Alcantara/leather for £1,400 and £1,600 respectively.

The pictures show the new, aggressive exterior styling of the saloon and Sports Wagon, which distinguish them from the standard models. However, the saloon's 18-inch GT1 boots are finished in silver whilst the Sports Wagon has glossy-black alloys and extra rear privacy glass that can be added to the saloon for £405.

In case you're won over by what is, in simple terms, an aesthetic and performance bargain, orders for the GB270 edition are now being taken, with expected delivery around the beginning of September.

Kyle Molyneux - 12 Jul 2007