For decades, a familiar warble has echoed through the trees of global rally stages, a warble produced by a car that wears a six-starred badge and is fitted with a boxer engine. The Impreza. Launched in 1992 as Subaru’s new entry into a smaller saloon class, it was a hit globally but it wouldn’t take long before the performance bug set in.

Subaru had already experienced success in the World Rally Championship with the Legacy, but now the new kid on the block would get its turn. The Impreza and its closest rival the Evo would dominate the World Rally Championship for the next few years.

The competition would contribute to an almost mythical like status for the drivers that piloted them to victory, with special editions for both Richard Burns and Colin McRae. Later, the Impreza would leave an impression on a younger generation, being launched 171 feet by a young Ken Block.

All this rally heritage translated to the road, with road-going versions of the rally cars made available to the public. For the second generation of Impreza, these cars would wear the iconic WRX STI branding.

This example was supplied new in September of 2007, it is one of those highly coveted rally cars for the road. A facelift “Hawkeye” WRX STI. It’s finished in a colour now synonymous with Subaru, Sapphire Blue. There is of course, nothing subtle about this kind of car; to make sure absolutely everyone knows what you’re driving, there are no less than 9 external STI badges.

At the front, the most dramatic feature is, of course, the N12 light pod, fitted in 2020, it brings even more rally heritage to the road. It does work quite practically for navigating dimly lit country roads, but also as a deterrent for middle lane hoggers who see you approaching in their rear view mirror.

The theme continues throughout, with what could be described as a three-piece aero package, at the front a trademark bonnet scoop funnels air and possibly small children into the intercooler. Whilst at the rear, a dual spoiler system is set up, a smaller rear window spoiler guides airflow through a frankly absurd boot-mounted spoiler.

The wheels are 17” items, specific to STI equipped cars. They’re slightly larger than those fitted to just a run of the mill WRX to allow the fitment of some larger, equally gold Brembo brakes. The wheels themselves are wrapped in a matching set of Pirelli Sottozero winter tyres, though the car is supplied with an additional set of Continental premium contact 6 tyres more suited for dryer, warmer roads. The lower sections of body work are protected by some suitable rally spec STI mudflaps, also finished in blue.

Step inside and the loud and proud theme continues, the seats are STI branded buckets, finished with black outers and blue alcantara centres. The steering wheels, gear knob and handbrake lever are all trimmed in black leather, with contrasting red stitching that neatly matches the gauges.

Mentioning the gauges, you’ll find like a supercar, the rev counter is centrally mounted and lit with red lights. Mounted square in the middle of the dash is a gauge pod, with three additional instruments to ensure you can keep an eye on operations. You might think, given the nature of this car that the interior would be stripped back and raw. But it’s not, it’s a pleasant and comfortable place to be, with a Kenwood Apple Carplay unit and air conditioning, but then again, it does also have a button to spray water on the intercooler…how cool is that?!

Under the bonnet, you’re greeted with a 2.5-litre EJ25 unit, it’s a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine with an enormous top mounted STI intercooler. It’s not just a standard unit though, this car benefits from having been equipped with a Prodrive PPP package.

That means it gains a stainless-steel performance exhaust system, uprated high-flow fuel pump and a remapped ECU. But fear not, this wasn’t done by a random backstreet tuning house. Prodrive is one of the foremost Subaru tuners, having been responsible for some of the most competitive Imprezas in history. That's why this package was offered by Subaru as a dealer fit upgrade that results in 316bhp and 450 nm of torque. Prodrive’s history, and the type approval nature of this package makes them extremely desirable.

The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, which thanks to Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system delivers power to all four wheels. Like any high-performance vehicle, it requires maintenance with key jobs like Timing Belt changes, and regular servicing vital to the longevity of the drivetrain. Thankfully, that has not been overlooked in this case, with 14 individual service records alone:

01/2025 - 67,431 miles - Head Gasket, Timing Belt & Annual Service - Charles Gates Motortech
06/2024 - 66,187 miles - Replaced Rear Dampers & Top Mounts - MT Cars Subaru
02/2024 - 66,104 miles - Annual Service - Kinghams Subaru
06/2022 - 62,749 miles - Annual Service - Kinghams Subaru
12/2020 - 56,850 miles - Annual Service & Timing Belt - BGM Motorsport
12/2020 - 56,730 miles - Fit upgraded N12 light pod - BGM Motorsport
12/2019 - 53,704 miles - Annual Service - Kinghams Subaru
03/2017 - 44,343 miles - Annual Service - Independent Specialist
02/2016 - 39.673 miles - Annual Service - Adams Brothers Subaru
01/2015 - 35,967 miles - Annual Service - Adams Brothers Subaru
01/2014 - 32,131 miles - Annual Service - Adams Brothers Subaru
11/2013 - 26,593 miles - Annual Service - Adams Brothers Subaru
02/2012 - 22,268 miles - Annual Service - Tan-y-Clawdd Motors Ltd
09/2010 - 15,519 miles - Annual Service - Threeways Garage
09/2009 - 10,438 miles - Annual Service - Threeways Garage
09/2008 - 5,725 miles - Annual Service - Threeways Garage Ltd
11/2007 - 1,324 miles - 1,000 mile service - Threeways Garage Ltd

We’ve seen over the last few years, with the launch of the GR Yaris and the surge in popularity of ‘Safari Spec’ 911s that Rally Cars for the road really are an area of intrigue. They’re innate capability to handle some of the roughest terrain makes them excellent daily drivers.

The Impreza for example, is a hooligan to drive, it’ll put a smile on your face as much as even the greatest of sports cars but you can use it all your round, in all weather conditions. And, when you’re done pelting it down a tree-lined country road (at legal speeds obviously), you can pop to the shops, pick the kids up from school and fit luggage in the boot.

If there is one car that could do it all, it’s probably a Subaru. Now is your chance. Included in the sale is the brilliant, cherished number plate ‘L29 HTS’, ideal for those darker evenings ahead.

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London

Duke of London