Performance Review: Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Subaru Impreza Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.This particular Subaru Impreza has a 1994cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F4's includes the 2010 Subaru Impreza STI CS 400 - Cosworth - Hatch

The Impreza shares its Petrol F4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2010 Subaru Impreza STI CS 400 - Cosworth - Hatch and the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205 Spec C - Hatch. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Impreza's All Wheel Drive, Estate combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1280 kgs (2821 lbs) this makes the Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Subaru Impreza shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1994cc 16V F4 engine produces 247 bhp (184 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Turbo F4 throws out 226 lb-ft (306.4 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Subaru Impreza you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1998 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG (217.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Subaru Impreza.

The Subaru Impreza has a Power to weight ratio of 192.9 bhp per ton and 176.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 Impreza competing with the 1998 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG (217.8 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Bentley Continental GT V8 (217.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Subaru Impreza generating around 176.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2012 Porsche Boxster S 3.4L (201.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI GSR (201.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs). This Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Impreza and the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX S

When talking about the performance of the Subaru Impreza on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.66 secs @ 100.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX S (13.60 secs), the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (13.60 secs), and the 2008 Audi A3 S3 2.0T (13.61 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon has a maximum speed of 135mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 Impreza equals the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon then how about the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (146 mph), or the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (146 mph).

Related Links:

1997 Impreza Rivals List.

A Brief History of Subaru

Car Comparison