Cosworth Impreza STI CS400

The new Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 is the result of one of the most eagerly anticipated automotive collaborations in recent times. The first genuine Cosworth-developed road car since 1996, the latest limited edition Impreza offers performance-car fans the thrill of a lifetime combined with exclusivity – production will be restricted to 75 cars.

Subaru’s highest performance cars, the STi range, have always been quick, but this car comes with 400 ps and All-Wheel Drive, which gives a staggering delivery of 0-62 mph in just 3.7 seconds. This means that, should you own one, you’ll have one of the fastest accelerating road cars in the world sitting on your driveway.

The Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 features an extensive range of Cosworth-engineered components in the engine, turbo system, exhaust, suspension, brakes and wheels, plus subtle improvements to the exterior and interior styling to create a truly distinctive high performance car with everyday hatchback practicality.

Marketed exclusively in the UK in right-hand drive form, the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 is available in a choice of three exterior colours (Spark Silver, Dark Grey and San Remo Red).

At the heart of the new Cosworth Impreza is a heavily revised version of the marque’s famous horizontally-opposed, all-aluminium Boxer engine. The ‘flat-four’ power unit is removed from the car, hand finished, and several internal and ancillary components are replaced with up-rated items, specified by Cosworth.

As with all Impreza ‘Boxer’ engines, the STI Cosworth unit features twin overhead camshafts per cylinder bank (DOHC) plus an Active Valve Control System (AVCS) to deliver variable valve timing and enhance low-speed pulling power.

To match the new Impreza Cosworth’s supercar pace, Cosworth commissioned AP Racing to develop more powerful front brakes. Larger diameter (355 mm) ventilated front discs were adopted, with motorsport-style six-pot callipers featuring bespoke pistons operating on larger brake pads.

The outstanding performance of the Cosworth Impreza is reflected in its ‘stand-out’ appearance and standard Xenon headlamps. The lowered ride height and wider track give the car a whole new stance, which is reinforced by a front bumper that now incorporates fog lights, a new front lip spoiler, and upper and lower mesh grilles. Also added is a new rear boot-lid spoiler.

The Cosworth Impreza STi CS400 goes on sale in the UK from June 2010, priced from £49,995 (OTR).

This is one of the few hatchbacks that I’d love to have – it is not only extremely capable but has very high quality parts, extreme performance and practicality thrown in too. I think it would be great to be of the 75 owners of this very special Subaru.