The Impreza models that only a few talk about.

All the big japanese car brands have released a performance car that has become an icon: Mazda has the RX7, Toyota offered the Supra, Mitsubishi and the recently ‘deceased’ the Lancer Evolution, Nissan have given us the GT-R range for many years, and a reborned Honda: the NSX.

However today we’ll make a close up to one specific icon: The Subaru Impreza. But not the one that we find in the streets with frequency. We won’t either talk about the Impreza WRX STI which is mentioned every day by most of the CTzens. There are some forgotten warriors that Subaru have created which also deserve respect, but are ignored maybe to the lack of information about them. Those are the S-series.

1. Impreza S201 STi:

Even if the design of the first S-series that was created looks like something taken from the garage of The Power Rangers, and even if many of the readers will scream “RICER” until having a sore throat think for a moment that it was created in 2000 during those years when scandalous body kits were a trend.

And don’t think that it was only a model to catch up with the trend. This was a track-designed beast, so it had a suspension kit developed by STi specifically for this project. It also came with an EJ20 turbocharged engine which was optimized to reach 295 HP and 260 ft/lb of torque, which means that it was producing the same power as the EJ25 used on the STI of those days.

Only 300 S201 were created, and were only offered to the Japanese market.

2. Impreza S202 STi:

The rally champion, Peter Solberg, drove this one and described it as the most similar car to his WRC Impreza. As its older brother, this one was equipped with the EJ20 engine with a remapped ECU. However it reached the 316 BHP and 283 lb/ft of torque. Nevertheless it was heavier: 1330 kg while the S201 was 1270 kg!

Fortunately, this model was luckier when it was designed: It received a simple facelift which included a similar bumper that was offered on the STi, an adjustable carbon fiber wing, and a set Rays forged alloys that were mounted with 225/45 ZR Pirelli P-Zero Rosso.
About its drivetrain it came with a six-speed gearbox and a mechanical slip differential at the back.

The production was limited to 400 models but luckily some of them can be found in UK.

3. Impreza S203 STi

For this model the improvements were focused on the handling of the vehicle. In fact, the engine produced the same amount of power than the previous S-series model, and it was also heavier by 110 kg. However it got more torque: 311 lb/ft due to its improved six speed gearbox.

As well, compared to the basic ‘Blobeye’ STI, it had a different bumper with a splitter, an adjustable rear wing and bigger BBS wheels.

The production reached 555 units and it was sold in Japan and UK only.

4. Impreza S204 STi

The ‘Hawk eye’ S model received a new twin-scroll ball-bearing turbo, a new ECU, sport cat, a titanium sports muffler, new air intake, high streght casting pistons and a bigger intercooler. The output power was 320 hp and with a torque of 319 lb/ft. The chassis also received a proper treatment; A new suspension with lower and stiffer springs, performance dampers that were developed with the help of Yamaha, Sport brake pads and 18” BBS alloy wheels.

However, they didn’t change much of its design. They installed a front skirt, and replaced the rear wing and installed a rear diffuser.

This version didn’t reach the British dealerships so it was only sold in Japan, despite the fact that they produced 600 units of this exclusive Subaru. Its price was around the $40.000 USD.

5. Impreza R205 STi

In spite of creating a track focused vehicle, STi decided to develop a vehicle that could be used on any curvy road, feel comfortable in the city, and deal with the high pressure that a race circuit demands.

As the ‘R’ of its name stands for “Road Sport” the effort the brand was focused to improve handling by the use of STI tuned dampers, coil springs, flexible type strut, and stiffener front suspension. The brakes that were fitted in this model were 6-pot Brembo brakesat the front and 4-pot Brembo brakes at the rear as well. Bridgestone provided specially designed Potenza RE070 tyres. This model was 20 kg heavier than his predecessor: 1470 kg.

The EJ20, just as the S204, produced 325 hp but the torque was a bit lower: 317 lb/ft. The exhaust pipe was replaced and also a new ECU was fitted in it.

And about its appearance it received some parts that were used on the WRX STI Spec C, like the front bumper and the under spoiler. Also it was fitted with a rear redesigned bumper.

Just as the previous S-series models its production was limited. In this case to 400 units which hadn’t had the chance to be shipped to any other country. For the Japanese market it was sold in 4’510.000 JPY, which was more or less 40.000 USD.

6. Impreza S206 STi

For the sixth generation of the Subaru Impreza, STi decided to develop again the Sedan version of their flagship. In this case STi also prepared something special with the creation of the S206 which, as its name says, it was again a track prepared beast. This specific model was taken to Nürburgring for its tuning. In fact that is the reason why 100 of the 300 units that were made received the name of NBR editions.

For this model, STi fitted 19-inch BBS wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sports tyres. The brakes used in this model were the same used in the R205. The S206 was also equipped with an updated Driver Controlled Center Differential that was tuned to have the maximum throttle response. This improvement helped this model to break a record and reach the 60 mph in only 4.5 seconds. And the suspension was also part of its changes. Bilstein installed inverted dampers, coil springs and tower bar, which helped the S206 to reduce body roll on corners and maintain the grip without feeling uncomfortable. The body also received its treatment. Not only received a new carbon fiber spoiler and redesigned bumpers, but the carbon fiber roof reduced weight and lowered the center of gravity.

The price tag of this beauty was also surprising for the S-series. It costed $76.000 USD, which was almost twice the price of its older brothers! As well it was for the Japanese market only.

7. Impreza S207 STi

This is the most recent development from STi and was also the most ambitious model of the brand, starting with the suspension tune which was equipped with Bilstein components; On the front was installed a system with adjustable damping, which mean that during soft movements it could handle softly and during aggressive driving it would become stiffer. On the other hand, it was equipped with front-rear Active Torque Vectoring. As a result this S207 is faster on corners than any of the previous S-series.

Its exterior design also received a dose of aggressiveness: It received a carbon fiber wing and the bumper and side skirts were re designed to be a bit longer. The rims were the same used in the previous S206: 19-inch BBS. And if this was not enough, an NBR edition was also created which was available only in Sunrise Yellow with some black accents. From this last special version were available 200 cars from 400 units that as well were sold only in Japan.

The interior as well received a good treatment: Recaro bucket seats made of leather to give it a sportier feeling than the basic STI.