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How much? £30,345
On sale in the UK: Now
Engine: 2457cc 16v turbo flat four, 325bhp @ 5400rpm, 347lb ft torque @ 3400rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Performance: 4.8sec 0-62mph, 155mph, 23.7mpg, 281g/km CO2
How heavy / made of? 1505kg/steel
How big (length/width/height in mm)? 4415/1740/1475
Need to know

CAR's rating

Rated 5 out of 55

Handling

Rated 5 out of 55

Performance

Rated 5 out of 55

Usability

Rated 5 out of 55

Feelgood factor

Rated 4 out of 54

Readers' rating

Rated 3 out of 53

Subaru Impreza 330S (2009) CAR review

By Ben Barry

First Drives

05 March 2009 10:00

We’d pretty much given up on extracting any pleasure from the new Impreza. Then we drove the new 330S and – shock, horror – it’s very good indeed. Even more surprising, the differences between the 330S and the WRX STI aren’t particularly striking.

And the differences between the Subaru Impreza STI and 330S are...

The 330S begins life in Japan as the WRX STI. The factory then adds 18-inch five-spoke alloys, Alcantara/leather Recaros, keyless go and DVD sat-nav. UK cars, however, are a little more gifted, being fitted with the Prodrive Performance Kit once they land in Blighty. This boosts power from 300bhp to 325bhp and torque from 311lb ft to 347lb ft courtesy of engine management tweaks, freer-flowing intercooler piping, performance-friendly catalytic converters and chunky-looking quad exhausts.

So you’re saying you like it?

Love it. Particularly revealing was the fact that I drove the 330S back-to-back with my longterm Mitsubishi Evo X FQ-360. The Subaru has a nicer, slicker gear change with a sixth gear (the Evo’s manual gets just the five speeds and is far less tactile); the ride is better if still understandably firm; the steering is more progressive and less hyperactive immediately off-centre than the edgy Evo; and the engine is a whole lot better.

It's down on power, though

Forget about that. After all, the boggo Evo has slightly less power for less money, and the FQ-330 has the same power for slightly more cash. Yet I prefer this car to the FQ-360 – a car that costs £9k more. The Prodrive mods give the Subaru back its characterful flat-four burble, and the power delivery is far more progressive too when compared with the nothing-power boost-nothing of the thrashy Evo. And it’s this that allows you to better balance power against agile chassis where the Evo fires down the road like a ballistic weapon as you hold on tight for the ride.

Verdict

The new Impreza’s perception as a bad car now has such momentum that the downward spiral will be very hard for the company to break. But don’t dismiss the 330S. It looks great, is more enjoyable to drive than the Evo – and this from someone who’s always voted Mitsi when push comes to shove – comes better equipped and offers better value for money.

 

        

Performance Car of the Year 2009 Subaru Impreza STi 330S - time trial; Subaru London Motor Show video; british international motor show; london motor show; subaru; CAR Online has caught the new Impreza WRX STi almost completely undisguised. Our video has the car hot lapping at the Nurburgring before it's officially unveiled to the world on 10 October. ; cars; emap; scooby; subaru impreza; wrx sti; CAR's team presents its guide to the 2008 Geneva Motor Show; Welcome to petrolhead heaven. Join the CAR team, and guest driver Matt Neal from the British Touring Car Championship, at Cadwell Park. We put 2007's hottest 14 cars - including the BMW M3, Audi R8 and Lamborghini Superleggera - to the test.; automotive; CAR Magazine; greatest Performance Cars; hot laps; Subaru
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Subaru Impreza 330S (2009) CAR review

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heronaddict

heronaddict says

RE: Subaru Impreza 330S (2009) CAR review

 now you tell me!!!

Seriously though, I have driven both, and the 330s is not in the same league as the Type 20.  But I would say that , wouldn't I?!

If you've got the dosh go for the type 20.  I am happily surviving with one kidney.

 

 

02 April 2009 09:02

 

Ali

Ali says

RE: Subaru Impreza 330S (2009) CAR review

 True, but the LItchfield is £37000+ while you can easily persuade a UK dealer to sell you a 330S for less than the cost of a standard STi with 18 inch wheels option!

29 March 2009 23:16

 

heronaddict

heronaddict says

RE: Subaru Impreza 330S (2009) CAR review

The 330s pales into insignificance when put up against the Litchfield Type 20 Subura Impreza. Fantastic car to drive and ride in. Mine comes Thursday. Midnight Blue, grey alloys, ultimate undercover fun. Gold alloys? Arrff!!! Times change.

08 March 2009 09:40

 

-Joe-

reward badge

-Joe- says

RE: Subaru Impreza 330S (2009) CAR review

And also why did they do away with the Iconic Blue and yellow colour scheme in the rallying for some corpoate rebranding tosh... It's called heritage and most companies would give a hell of alot for the brand image and heritage Subaru have built up.

07 March 2009 10:03

 

-Joe-

reward badge

-Joe- says

RE: Subaru Impreza 330S (2009) CAR review

Yeah but Subaru are imbiciles. They send the wrong colours and wheels to the press and programes like Top Gear(they sent a dark red one 4GS). Why the heck wans't it a blue one with Gold multi's. Its gonna look alful in that colour, any car does. Make sure it has the iconic blue, with some Gold BBS Multi's(like mine on GT5, one of the only cars I have not in white, becuase it shouldn't be) and also make sure it has the STI fog light covers. Hey presto it does look good, people jsut don't relise becuase if the cars they sent to the press.

07 March 2009 10:01

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