There is no better way to test the toughness of an automobile than by entering it in the World Rally Championship (WRC). Subaru understood this when they first entered the WRC back in 1990. In 1992, the Legacy was succeeded by the more compact Impreza, which was imbued with two years of tested technology. This sports sedan generated intense popularity among consumers looking for a street car with the guts of a WRC contender. In August 2000, a second generation of Impreza was born. One of the specially tuned versions of this car was the Impreza WRX STi (Subaru Tecnica International). Its 2-litre 4-cylinder turbo engine adopts a reinforced cylinder block, molybdenum coated steel pistons, high capacity turbo and intercooler. The power of the STi model was boosted to 280hp with 38kg-m maximum torque. This power was efficiently transmitted to the four wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission, also developed by the STi team. The suspension adopts rally-proven 4-wheel struts, ensuring a smooth ride over all road conditions. Blister style over-fenders on the powerful four-door body and an enlarged air intake on the hood give the Impreza WRX STi a truly impressive appearance.