WRX STi Impressive

WHAT'S more flattering than a daughter who wants something? Well, if it's your driving ability you want flattered I always reckoned you could do no better than a Subaru Impreza.

Bags of power, bags of grip, a doddle to drive slowly if occasion demanded or circumstances dictated.

A bit of a Mr Hyde when you floored the gas.

A gentle Dr Jekyll for Er in Drawers to go shopping in.

The hatchback version was a practical wolf in sheep's clothing.

The saloon – like as not in World Rally blue, with gold wheels and a hefty spoiler – was iconic.

No wonder we missed it when it departed the UK market back in 2007.

Well, now the saloon is back – but it's not called an Impreza any more.

The new monicker is WRX STi Type UK.

Subaru is out to create a more premium image so giant spoilers and WR Blue are out.

The four-door launch coincides with an extensive revision of the five-door, with new bumpers, enlarged rear quarter panels and lower ride height giving the car a more muscular presence.

The four-door's not a bad looker – quite imposing, with its macho wheel arches, deep front spoiler and bonnet air scoop giving it a purposeful rather than downright lary look.

The rear view is for my money better than the hatchback sibling's and the four tailpipes set the Scooby apart from most.

Open the driver's door and the first thing you notice are a pair of Recaro sports seats that prove fine for the fuller figure, too – a reliable source informs me.

The cabin – never Subaru's strong point – is much improved.

Better quality materials and better put together.

Equipment's pretty generous, too.

It includes keyless entry, push-button start, front log lamps, hill start assist, climate control air-conditioning, remote central locking, electric windows front and rear, an all-new radio-CD unit with a 10-speaker audio system, AUX and USB input jacks, a hands-free Bluetooth system and cruise control.

But never mind the 10 speakers, of course the Scooby's real entertainment is delivered by what you don't see.

Press the start button and the familiar burble of the horizontally-opposed Boxer flat-four welcomes you.

That's always been part of the Scooby experience and the four-pipe exhaust has been tuned to deliver a fruity tone.

Not an overly-loud one, though. In keeping with its rather more mature niche, it does not intrude on speech-based radio.

There's the signature Scooby all-wheel drive and a six-speed gearshift about which I can find nothing in my notebook, so that must have been fine.

Not that there's overmuch need to swap cogs.

Maximum torque arrives at a pretty heady 4,000 revs but most of that pulling power is available much lower down the rev range, so it will be only the most unsympathetic driver who does not find the WRX STi ever-eager to respond.

With almost 50% more power than early Impreza Turbos, the WRX shrugs off the size and weight gains that have afflicted so many cars over the years..

Subaru performance claims have often proved conservative and it certainly feels capable of getting to the metric ton (62.4mph) in little over five seconds on its way to close to 160mph.

And, of course, all the time it feels absolutely planted on the road.

That can, of course, mean that the occupants are likely to lose their fillings when roads are less than perfect – a situation that pertains far more often in the UK these days than it does here.

Not in the WRX's case, though.

The new, stiffer, bodyshell has also made it possible to increase suspension travel, benefiting road-holding as well as ride refinement.

And all WRXs have their suspension set to the Japanese domestic market Spec C, offering a balance of better body control with no loss of ride quality that has previously been the preserve of import model owners only.

Better late than never.

The new wheels save a couple of kilos a corner of unsprung weight, further benefiting ride and handling, and doing the appearance no harm at all.

Keener drivers will appreciate the handling balance that comes thanks to the default torque distribution, which sends 59% to the back wheels.

The WRX also incorporates Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control.

That allows the driver to set the point at which the stability control intervenes to suit their own tastes or driving conditions.

And there are still more boys' toys.

The three-mode Subaru Intelligent Drive system can be used to tweak the engine's throttle response.

Even as it comes out the box, though, this is one terrific performer just like the Imprezas of old.

There's more to it than that, however.

Like them it might have few rivals over a twisty bit of tarmac when no one is looking, but with more space, better cabin and ride, it is now an inviting prospect for longer-haul touring.

What's not to like?

Well, taking the drive to the rear wheels does cut into the boot space a bit.

And you can get posher interiors and snobbier badges for the money.

But for all-round driver enjoyment, easy-to-access high performance and daily driveability, the WRX is probably king of the hill.

It's certainly mine.