Skip advert
Advertisement

Subaru Impreza sets Nurburgring record

The World's quickest saloon is the Subaru Impreza WRX STI, judging by its Nurburgring lap time

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…

Advertisement - Article continues below

We put the Impreza WRX STI against Lamborghini Gallardo

Follow evo on Twitter and Facebook for car news and views

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Subaru Impreza 22B STI (1998): a rally-inspired icon
Subaru Impreza 22B STI
Reviews

Subaru Impreza 22B STI (1998): a rally-inspired icon

It might not be a true homologation special, but the rally-inspired Impreza 22B has proved its worth as one of the most thrilling Subaru road cars eve…
28 Dec 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best cars of the 1980s – performance icons from the decade of excess
Best '80s cars
Best cars

Best cars of the 1980s – performance icons from the decade of excess

The performance car as we’ve come to adore it has its origins in the 1980s. Family cars got fast, fast cars got faster, all of them were huge fun
19 Aug 2025
Mercedes-Benz EQS 2025 review – electric S-class takes aim at the BMW i7
Mercedes EQS – front
In-depth reviews

Mercedes-Benz EQS 2025 review – electric S-class takes aim at the BMW i7

Mercedes put all of its resources into creating a bespoke all-electric flagship, but it’s not quite worthy of replacing the S-class yet
18 Aug 2025
Gordon Murray has built two new supercars, and one of them looks just like a McLaren F1
GMSV S1 LM and Le Mans GTR
News

Gordon Murray has built two new supercars, and one of them looks just like a McLaren F1

Gordon Murray has announced the Le Mans GTR and S1 LM – a pair of track-oriented spin-off supercars from a new Special Vehicles division
15 Aug 2025