Subaru's wonder wagon

Oct 5 2007 By Richard M Hammond

The GB270 is fitting farewell to a model deserving of classic status

Few cars have a following as devoted as Subaru's Impreza, and the outgoing WRX model has proved hugely popular despite getting off to a shaky start due to its bug-eyed design.

Five years and a nip and tuck later and the model is destined for classic status.

The replacement is already waiting in the wings but there won't be an all-singing, all-dancing WRX STI rally replica version until well into 2008, which means if you want to liven up the dreary winter months with boxer-engined, four-wheel drive fun the outgoing model is your best bet.

Aware of the gap to be filled, Subaru has crafted a special edition end-of-run WRX model named the GB270. Rather than seizing on the opportunity to cash in on the winter shortage the company is offering the model - 300 saloon and 100 Sports Wagons - for the same price of £22,995, £2,898 and £1,898 over the standard WRX saloon and Sports Wagon respectively, despite playing host to around £7,000 of extra kit.

For the curious: GB stands for Rally GB, Subaru's most successful WRC stage in the model, and 270 is the output of the engine in PS - that's 266bhp. This feature comes courtesy of a Prodrive Performance Pack - upping the power by 40PS and spooling up the torque to 310lb/ft. That drops the zero to 60mph time from a blistering 5.9 seconds to an eye-watering 5.2.

The GB270 also sits lower thanks to a stubby set of springs, has a sturdier antiroll bar, chunky 18-inch rims and quick-shift short-throw gear change along with Momo gearknob.

The free modification kit is likely to be all the inspiration potential purchasers need to grab one of the limited numbers of GB270s, and although Subaru clearly expects the saloon to be the most popular it is, albeit subjectively, the Sports Wagon that really looks the part in grey and black.

It's a subtler proposition than the huge spoilered saloon, which is bound to attract tuts and disapproving looks from elderly neighbours.

Despite the less obvious appearance it will turn heads in the car park thanks to the thump of the boxer engine. It's the horizontally opposed layout of the pistons that gives it the distinctive and menacing beat. Combined with the the turbo it's one of the nicest noises short of a super-car motor.

Sharing a platform and running gear means there's nothing to choose between the saloon and Sports Wagon in handling.

Both feature a four-wheel drive system and limited-slip differential that catapult the car in a straight line from standstill, force it through corners with frightening brutality then launch it out of the other side.

Granted, a well sorted hot-hatch or rear drive coupe will change direction quicker while on the power, but the Impreza's speed off the line and acceleration in gear hovers near the crest in its price range.

A fitting swansong for one of the best loved cars of the 21st century? Absolutely.

the facts..

Model: Subaru Impreza WRX GB270 Sports Wagon £22,995 on the road. New Impreza from £12,495.

Engine: 2.5-litre petrol unit developing 266bhp.

Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox as standard driving all four wheels.

Performance: Maximum speed 143mph, 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds.

CO2 emissions: 260g/km.

Economy: 29.7mpg