Subaru WRX STi - best performance cars
The cult of the Subaru WRX has waned in recent years, although the memory of old World Rally Championship weapons like the Impreza is still strong.
The cult of the Subaru WRX has waned in recent years, although the memory of old World Rally Championship weapons like the Impreza is still strong.
The current Subaru WRX STi has evolved from the Impreza era, and the design clearly pays homage to Subaru’s impressive WRC record. The gaping grille and bonnet scoop, and that massive rear spoiler could hardly have come from anywhere else.
To be perfectly honest, if you don’t wish to pay a similar kind of homage to Subaru’s record yourself, you can probably find a more sensible way to spend £30k. The BMW M135i and VW Golf R both spring to mind.
But if you’re a driver for whom the memory of Subaru’s glory days lingers, then the latest WRX Sti delivers bags of fun from its sporty 4x4 chassis and turbocharged 2.5-litre boxer engine.
The latter produces close to 300bhp, enough for a claimed 0-62mph time of 5.2 seconds. That may not sound earth-shattering, but on a twisting back road with the turbos spinning fast the acceleration between corners – and the speed you carry around them - is a genuine rush. With the confidence of a 4x4 chassis that corners flat and hard, it’s easy to feel you’re channelling the spirit of the legendary Colin McRae.
Those feelings are further enhanced by the body-hugging Recaro sports seats, grippy leather-clad steering wheel and rock hard ride that may at times set your fillings on edge… but if a legend put up with that, so can we!
Top 10 best performance cars on sale now
- 1. Ford Focus RS
- 2. Mercedes AMG C63
- 3. BMW M2
- 4. Volkswagen Golf R
- 5. BMW M3
- 6. Lexus GS F
- 7. Audi RS3 Sportback
- 8. Mercedes AMG CLA 45
- 9. Vauxhall VXR8
- 10. Subaru WRX STi
