First Drive
Subaru Impreza Spec D
Engine/Power: 2.5litre 4cyl/281bhp
0-60mph/Top Speed: 5 Seconds/158.4mph
Economy: Urban 18.5mpg, Extra urban 34.0mpg, Combined 25.9mpg
Price: £28,995
Keep it on the Q.T.
Shhhhhh, keep this one under your hat. IMN has tested the latest Subaru Impreza, it's a WRX Sti Spec D. Well the 'D' stands for 'Discreet', so keep it down.
On the exterior it has a smaller rear spoiler than the normal WRX model and it has an air intake of 'we'er' proportions on the bonnet. The alloys are silver and not gold which adds to the subtleness of this car. On the inside you get all the WRX spec and just to remind you what you're driving (just in case), Sti is emblazoned on the steering wheel so that you know you're in a quick car.
Inside the seats are made of black leather while the carpet is also in black while to get you to your destination quicker the Spec 'D' has SmartNav satellite navigation. This system is truly brilliant, call an operator via the touch screen and they'll send you the directions straight to your unit while it'll keep you updated with traffic conditions on your route. IMN believe it to be one of the best systems on the market.
Also as standard is an upgraded 200watt audio system featuring a Pioneer DEH-P70BT high quality unit with CD and MP3 compatibility, integrated 'Bluetooth' hands free kit plus RDS and iPod adaptor which charges your Pod while on the move. Exactly what we wanted on long journey's, this feature was a boon.
Jump in, start it up, press you're foot on the accelerator and you'll hear the glorious burble of the 2.5-litre turbocharged 'boxer' engine. We took the car through some of the toughest roads in Ireland, in fact they'll be the route that Rally Ireland will use in 2007 when it's part of the World Rally Championship.
We took the Spec 'D' from our base in the East of Ireland to the West, quite close in some places to the Atlantic coast.The Irish lanes were littered with farmyard deposits, loose gravel, and laying water. Not to mention the potholes, bumps and hidden dips.
The Impreza with its all wheel drive system came through the tough route with no worries and the six speed box allowed you to get peak performance from every gear. Even when pushed on closed roads the car is majestic, the more you push, the better the Spec D becomes. The 4WD drive system gives the driver ultimate confidence of turn in points, no wonder the Impreza has been such a revelation in world rallying with handling like this.
The top speed tests carried out on closed roads is unprintable as we wouldn't want to glamourise speeding, but lets just say it would rival more expensive 'super cars'.
FIRST OPINION
It's not often that IMN agree with PR speak but the Spec 'D' is a steel fist in a velvet glove offering all the thrills of a regular impreza without shouting about it. If you want to stay under the radar but have the ultimate quick saloon then you'll need to get yourself a Suburu Impreza Spec 'D'.
Simon McBride
Pictures: Ciaran McBride
