A word on the 2001 Subaru Impreza Turbo WRX

Commercially available Impreza models from 1996 through to 2000 suffered common shortcomings among which one can list:

• A body that is far from being rigid and can cause handling imprecision when over-stressed

• An engine sump that lacks baffles and can lead to oil starvation and catastrophic engine damage in hard-cornering 

• Weak brakes with spongy feel

• The worst intercooler position one can use (on top of the engine)

Subaru tried to address some of these issues in the 2001 Impreza whose technical specification can be found here. In some cases it succeeded but failed for the most. The 2001 Impreza mainly addressed the body softness issue and displays a torsional stiffness increased by 185% when compared to previous models while longitudinal stiffness is up 250%. These figures are impressive but underline the previous model's main deficiency. The 2001 car handles much better and is far more precise than previous models.

The new edition's brakes are improved over those of previous versions, both in size and feel, they are not, however, more efficient as the car's overall weight was increased by more than 120kg and now reaches 1430kg, far too much.

The engine has undergone a vast modifications program which, unfortunately, only addressed emission control issues. Consequently the power output is similar to that of the previous Impreza and can hardly compensate the increased weight. The car's performance figures are way off those of the previous version with an additional second in 0-100km/h times. This fact alone is a big disappointment to the sporty driver. Note that although the intercooler capacity was increased by 11% its position has not varied as it is still located on top of the engine. Engine modifications include a new, Mitsubishi sourced, turbocharger which is bigger than the one fitted to previous versions and now blows a 0.93 bar maximum boost. The intake manifold is also new and is designed to create inlet gas turbulence at certain engine speeds and throttle positions in order to increase the engine's responsiveness. An additional catalytic converter has been fitted ahead of the turbocharger and greatly limits the gases flowing to the turbine. As you see most of the modification regarding the engine are targeting its compliance with the most stringent emission control regulations. As a result the new car complies with the latest US Emission Controls and is therefore imported to this country whereas previous versions weren't. Although we do not want to disillusion  our American friends they have to know that the Subaru Impreza WRX Turbo imported in the United States is a long way from previous vintages of the same model.

Chassis modifications were also extensive and the car now sports 17" wheels, one of the greatest shortcomings of previous models were its undersized wheels and the inability to fit bigger aftermarket ones as the wheel arches would not allow it.
Another problem carried over the multiple Impreza models from 1995 on has been addressed on this latest model. We're talking about the huge lock to lock travel which used to be 3.9 turns and is now reduced to only 3 turns still a bit high but far better than before.

The car is 65mm longer than the previous version but its wheelbase only gains 5mm. This of course means additional inertia and an emphasized tendency to understeer due to greater overhangs both front and rear.

A downside is the absence of bonnet vents which, although fitted in previous models, were blanked by plastic caches. The 2001 Impreza lacks the vents altogether. Bonnet vents were useless on standard, showroom cars but could be made functional and effective on customer upgraded, "chipped" cars by removing the caches. The total absence of vents on 2001 models can prove tricky to overcome on modified cars as under bonnet temperatures rise sharply when the power output is increased.

Overall Subaru could no longer constitute an exception in the motor world with its top of the line 2001 Impreza. The car was designed to appeal more to Motor Vehicle Office officials than to thrill loving drivers. This is certainly a shame but was there any other choice? We feel the answer to this question is, No. The era where cars could be designed to charm the sports driver over the environmentalists is certainly over and the latest Impreza WRX is sufficient proof of this claim.

At least the 2001 Impreza doesn't have ESP...yet.

Note that the presentation above deals only with the street version of the car. The competition, WRC class car, can only have improved over the previous version!