Who needs creature comforts?
Subaru had entered a Legacy into the rally circuit in the early '90s, teaming with our very own Prodrive UK as early as 1989, but was winless. The Impreza's more nimble chassis would help, but a directive from Subaru insisted that, even though the Impreza was prepped and ready, Prodrive would have to score an overall victory in the Legacy before they could use it.
Ari Vatanen obliged in New Zealand, and starting the next race, the smaller Impreza was introduced to the WRC. Subaru quickly won three consecutive WRC titles (1995-1997) and Colin McRae (RIP) won the drivers' title in 1995, as well. The homologation street car specials were called WRX. A bewildering array of 2.0L turbo variants appeared starting in 1993. The debut model sported 240hp, ventilated four-wheel-disc brakes backing 15-inch wheels, a viscous coupling center differential, and a viscous LSD rear end. The basic car represented outstanding performance for a reasonable price, and was a hit.
For 1997, power jumped to 260hp and wheels were an inch larger; a year later, Subaru reached the "gentleman's agreement" power limit of 280hp. Further evolutions saw power remain but torque figures climbed to provide a more accurate tale about the power increases. Weight increased nominally with each passing year, though by 2000, a standard WRX was still considered a lightweight saloon.
Starting in 1994, Subaru introduced Subaru Technica International (STi) versions. These featured blueprinted engines, gearboxes and suspension, a driver-controlled locking center differential, and higher power ratings than standard WRX models until the standard car reached the 280hp advertised limit. Special edition WRX models often celebrated race victories or championships.
Japan, Australia and Europe, particularly us here in the UK, went batty for the original WRX. Car magazine, never short of hyperbole, went so far as to call the turbo Impreza its Car of the Decade: "In an era strangled by spin, the Impreza Turbo was an underground hit that gradually went overground, unhindered by hype - not the '90s way," they said by way of explanation. The next month, Car featured not one but six blown Impreza variants on the cover.
Kevin (the owner) contacted us when he spotted this example up at auction. He just had to have one of these super rare MY95 RAs in his collection!
