Performance Review: Subaru Impreza WRX S - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Subaru Impreza Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Subaru Impreza WRX S is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Subaru Impreza has a 2457cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F4's includes the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205 Spec C - Hatch

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

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1395 kgs (3075 lbs) this makes the Subaru Impreza WRX S in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Subaru Impreza shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 2457cc 16V F4 engine produces 251 bhp (187 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp).

The Turbo F4 throws out 288 lb-ft (390.4 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (204.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Subaru Impreza.

The Subaru Impreza has a Power to weight ratio of 179.9 bhp per ton and 206.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 Impreza competing with the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (204.9 bhp per ton) or the 1994 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo II (204.8 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 206.4 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 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air (231.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2010 Ford Focus RS500 (230.9 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 S as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs). This Subaru Impreza WRX S is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (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 2012 Lexus LS 460 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Subaru Impreza on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.96 secs @ 98.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Lexus LS 460 4.6 V8 (13.90 secs), the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260 (13.92 secs), and the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (13.93 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Subaru Impreza WRX S has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 Impreza equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX S then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

2008 Impreza Rivals List.

A Brief History of Subaru

Car Comparison