The Subaru Impreza WRX is a turbocharged version of the Subaru Impreza, an all-wheel drive automobile. It is available as a sedan or wagon.
Originally introduced in 1992 in Japan, then shortly afterward in New Zealand, Australia and Europe, the WRX had a turbocharged flat-4 2.0L (then later a 2.5L), Subaru Boxer engine. Compared to the base Impreza, the WRX has wider low-profile tires, larger brakes, and firmer, higher-quality suspension components.
The Impreza WRX was first sold in North America in 2001 as a 2002 model year.
GC chassis (1992-2000)
There were seven noted versions of the WRX. The STI versions were marketed with consecutive numbers. Another way to determine the version of a WRX was to look at the chassis code. All WRX sold between 1992 and 2000 have the beginning chassis code of GC8; this is followed by a letter from A to G.
Japan-spec
GC8A (11/1992-9/1993)
The WRX debuted in November 1992 with 240 PS (176.5 kW; 236.7 bhp) at 6000 rpm with 31 kg·m (300 N·m; 220 lb·ft) at 5000 rpm. Both front and rear brake rotors were ventilated disks. The vehicle had a curb weight of 1,220 kg (2,690 lb). The center differential was a viscous coupling type. The rear LSD was a viscous type. The WRX Type RA (marketing has made usage of the RA acronym in various ways; Record Attempt is the current usage. "R = Racing, A = Group A, the FIA racing class the WRC Impreza competes in" has also been confirmed by Subaru of Japan; the correspondence can be seen on the discussion board for this article) is a stripped down version of the WRX for people to purchase for motorsports. It does not have many "creature comforts" such as air-conditioning or a radio. The car also lacks anti-lock brakes. The WRX Type RA has the same mechanical specifications as the WRX except it had a weight reduction to 1,170 kg (2,579 lb). The WRX Type RA steering wheel is a 3 spoke leather-wrapped wheel from Nardi.
GC8B (10/1993-8/1994)
In October, 1993, Subaru introduced the 1994MY WRX which produced 240 PS (176.5 kW; 236.7 bhp) at 6500 rpm with 28.5 kg·m (279 N·m; 206 lb·ft) at 5000 rpm. The wheels remained the same size. The rear rotors were substituted from drum brakes to solid disk. The vehicle gained 30 kg (66 lb) to a total curb weight of 1,250 kg (2,756 lb). October 1993 was also the start of production of the wagon version, with 220 PS.
It is also debated whether or not it was just the GF8 Wagon received the 220 PS (161.8 kW; 217.0 bhp) engine or if the 1994 WRX received it as well. Previously this entry stated the WRX engine was downgraded to 220 PS (161.8 kW; 217.0 bhp).
WRX SA Modelbuilt may 1993 until Sep 1994 (GF8-B only) came as auto and manual. with or without aircon on both models. the engine and ecu was the same as the normal wrx wagon (manual or auto models) had colour coded mirrors but black door handles came in colours deep blue (331), deep green (307), flamy red (936), light silver (406), black mica (47a), feather white (230)
GC8C (9/1994-9/1996)
In November 1994, the WRX had a power increase to 260 PS (191.2 kW; 256.4 bhp) at 6500 rpm with 31.5 kg·m (309 N·m; 228 lb·ft) at 5000 rpm. The wheel diameters were increased to 16 inches (410 mm) and brake rotors were both changed to ventilated disks. With these modifications, the curb weight decreased to 1,230 kg (2,712 lb). In Japan, the WRX was also offered in the Sport Wagon and was called the Impreza Gravel Express but was discontinued due to very limited sales, and replaced by the Subaru Forester.
The 1996MY WRX debuted on January 1996. The WRX design received minimal mechanical changes, but a WRX V-Limited Edition was introduced to celebrate the success of the Impreza WRC car in the FIA WRC. It was mechanically the same to the WRX but had a curb weight nudge to 1,240 kg (2,734 lb). The V-limited cars are painted in World Rally Blue.
GC8D (9/1996-9/1997)
In September 1996, the WRX was updated with new styling. The 1997MY WRX now has a power rating of 280 PS (205.9 kW; 276.2 bhp) at 6500 rpm with 33.5 kg·m (329 N·m; 242 lb·ft) at 4000 rpm (280 PS (205.9 kW; 276.2 bhp) at 6500 rpm with 352 N·m (Template:Convert/kgm lb.ft) 4000 rpm for the wagon version). The car now weighs 1,250 kg (2,756 lb).
GC8F (9/1998-9/1999)
The 1999MY WRX is introduced on September 1998. The power rating remains the same as the previous year's model, but the torque is increased to 34.5 kg·m (338 N·m; 250 lb·ft) at 4000 rpm due to improvements on the engine design (the engine was dubbed as Boxer Phase II engine). The car now has a curb weight of 1,270 kg (2,800 lb). The WRX Type RA receives the same power upgrades and has a weight increase of 20 kg (44 lb) to 1,210 kg (2,668 lb).
GC8G (9/1999-9/2000)
The last version of the WRX is introduced on September 1999. There is no change in the mechanical specifications. Added features are newly-designed alloy wheels, color-coded mirrors and door handles, remote central locking, intermittent wipers with a timer and map lights. Red Mica had replaced Bright Red..
UK-spec
GC8A (1992)
The WRX was introduced as the Impreza GT (Europe), Turbo 2000(UK). It came with 208 bhp (155 kW; 211 PS).
GC8E (1997)
The Subaru Impreza WRX GT's(Turbo 2000) interior and face have been updated to leather.
UK-spec Special Variants
"1.8GL" (1993)
Subaru imported six Type RS's, the development car that led to the stripped-out Type RA. For UK car certification reasons they were registered as 1.8GL's despite having big turbos attached to 2 litre engines. Three cars went to Prodrive; three were retained by Subaru UK and were subsequently sold.
Series McRae UK Version (June 1995)
To commemorate Colin McRae's success in the international rally scene and his 1994 RAC win in particular, Subaru released 200 limited edition 'Series McRae' cars, prepared by Prodrive. These vehicles were finished in a very limited 'Rally Blue' mica colour scheme, sported gold 6.5"x16" Speedline 'Safari' alloy wheels, McRae decals, individual numbered badging from 1-201 (car no. 13 was never built since the number 13 is considered unlucky), and a factory-fitted electric tilt/slide sunroof. Recaro seats were fitted in the front, and the rear seats and side panels were retrimmed in the same Le Mans/Avus material.
On the road price was £22,999.
McRae Owners Club
Catalunya (March 1997)
200 cars (again excluding car number 13) in Black Mica with red flecks riding on gold alloy wheels were made to celebrate winning Subaru's second WRC manufacturer's title at the Rally of Spain (Catalunya). The car was sold for £21,610. A similar car in Blue Mica was sold in Italy.
Turbo Terzo (April 1998)
333 Cars In Blue Mica And Gold Alloys, to celebrate their manufacturer's WRC title. It cost £22,995.
Subaru won a hat-trick of manufacturer championships and celebrated once again by releasing a new special edition Impreza. The Subaru Impreza Terzo (Italian for 3rd). Only 333 Subaru Impreza Terzos were made, as a mark of the three championships won with the Subaru Impreza.
RB5 (1999)
To celebrate the return of British driver Richard Burns to the rally team in car number 5 , a limited edition of 444 cars in "Steel Blue" (aka Cool Grey) was created. The basic £24,995 model had little more than cosmetic differences, but most had the WR Sport Performance Pack, an option consisting of a new ECU and exhaust for 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) and 350 N·m (258 lb·ft) torque. The price for the higher spec car was £27,495. . There was also an optional Prodrive suspension pack that cost extra again. Standard Impreza Turbos could be fitted with the suspension pack and cosmetics to create a 'Prodrive WR Sport'.
Prodrive WR Sport (1999)
The standard Impreza Turbo 2000 was tuned and partly restyled by Prodrive. It featured a Prodrive - exclusive interior, a Prodrive suspension upgrade, Prodrive bodykit and wheels, WR Sport decals and an optional ECU upgrade for increased performance. It sold for £30000.00
P1 (March 2000)
Prodrive upgraded 1000 Imprezas for a price of £31500.00
GD chassis (2001-2007)
In 2001, the Impreza line received a complete update. The chassis received a 120% increase in torsional stiffness. The version nomenclature was dropped from the name, though Japan, New Zealand and Australia still refer to them as versions 7, 8, 9 and 10. To distinguish between the years, Japanese and other auto-enthusiasts often refer to the chassis as GDA (the WRX had an 'A' where as the STi had a 'B') revision A to G where G is the current (2007) version. The wagon chassis is given a GGA code.
The WRX has received two styling
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