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Litchfield Impreza

Tuning specialist turns Subaru into a rocket

Litchfield Impreza rear

By Richard Meaden

May 2011

Here’s a recipe for the ultimate Impreza: take a lightweight Japan-only model built for motorsport homologation purposes, and make it faster and fiercer than any version officially available here.

What do you get? UK-based tuning company Litchfield’s STi Spec C Sport. Power comes from a high-revving, turbocharged 2.0-litre flat four, instead of the UK STi’s 2.5-litre powerplant, while 
the chassis is sharpened to improve the handling. 

Highlights include a low-friction turbo for faster responses, and a mechanical limited-slip differential for the rear axle. The car also gets a high-flow steering pump, plus thinner glass, a lightweight 
battery and an aluminium bonnet to reduce weight by 30kg.

Litchfield sells Spec Cs in various states of tune, and the Sport model we drove is the hottest version, with 350bhp. 

It also has a sports exhaust for improved engine breathing and an awesome soundtrack. Finally, Litchfield fits two-way adjustable suspension and new anti-roll bars for increased road-holding and more incisive handling.

The results are sensational. The Spec C’s smaller 2.0-litre engine revs more freely than that of the UK car, and it’s much more potent, too. The steering has more weight and feel, and the firm 
suspension means its pace along a bumpy B-road is ballistic. 

Litchfield hasn’t upgraded the brakes, but the standard Brembos are adequate for road use. If you want to do trackdays, the firmcan fit a bigger Alcon front brake kit developed for its ultimate 
creation: the monstrous 400bhp, £40,000 Spec C-based Type 20.

For an alternative review of the latest Subaru Impreza visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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Pictures

Litchfield Impreza rear
Litchfield Impreza front track
Litchfield Impreza interior

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FIRST OPINION

    As focused, fierce and well engineered as an RS Porsche, this lighter and more powerful Impreza is an immensely quick and compelling machine. At £33,995, it offers tremendous pace, and being a five-door hatch means it’s practical, too. The Spec C is highly strung, but if ever a car has captured the spirit of the legendary Lancia Delta Integrale – only with a massive increase in 
    performance – this is it. 
 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £33,995
    Engine: 2.0-litre flat-four turbo
    Power/torque: 350bhp/350Nm
    Transmission: Six-speed manual, four-wheel drive
    0-62mph: 3.9 seconds (claimed)
    Top speed: 170mph (claimed)
    CO2: 350g/km 
    Equipment: AST two-way adjustable suspension, Milltek sports exhaust and sports catalyst
    On sale: Now
     
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