The Subaru Impreza WRX STI – the quickest saloon in the world. That’s the claim, after the four-door version of the new-school Impreza set a new record at the Nurburgring. A mightily impressive claimed 7min55sec lap-time around the Ring’s Nordschleife (North Loop) puts the STI ahead of the previous saloon record holder, the Cadillac CTS-V. The American boasts a 6.2-litre V8 engine over three times the size of the Japanese-spec Subaru’s 2-litre flat-four, but transfers its 556bhp to the track via its rear wheels only. The Impreza is all-wheel drive. The STI was piloted by four-time World Rally Champion and former Mitsubishi and Subaru WRC driver Tommi Makinen. The car deviates slightly from standard, with the the larger turbocharger and six-pot brake calipers from the Impreza R205 edition and aluminium bonnet from the STI Spec C, plus the usual safety necessities for track work. All of this may leave UK Impreza fans cold, though. Since the car’s relaunch a couple of years ago there’s only been a five-door hatchback for the UK, a situation that’s unlikely to change. Watch the video the car’s lap below to see what you’re missing…
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