Subaru Impreza Turbo GT - with combined forces

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Subaru Impreza Turbo GT - with combined forces

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Created on July 13, 2022

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

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Bruno von Rotz

57

Subaru

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Archiv Subaru Schweiz

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Stuart Adams

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Subaru / Werk

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Jochen Van Cauwenberghe - Courtesy Goodwood Festival of Speed

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Sarah Jane - Courtesy Artcurial

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Youngtimers/Werk

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Antoine Dellenbach

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Archiv

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - the additional fog lights and the rear spoiler reveal the fastest Impreza model

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - there's still a bit of Colin McRae in there

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - conspicuous would be different

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - the later GT Turbo models had a larger rear spoiler than the earlier models

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - it disappeared quickly

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - enjoys a large fan base

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - fun to drive

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - 0 to 100 km/h in around 6.5 seconds

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - when the rear-view mirrors were even more delicate

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - the wide tires claw into the asphalt

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - cornering and high traction

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - the boxer in the front delivers almost 220 hp

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - drives well in a straight line, but corners suit it better

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - the four-door model reaches a top speed of around 230 km/h

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - Driving pleasure doesn't have to be blue and white

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - wheelbase 2.52 meters

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - 4.34 meters long

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - 1.435 meters high

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - Gray in gray, but at least the instruments are highlighted in white

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - Speedometer up to 260 km/h, rev counter with red area from 7000 rpm

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - Momo steering wheel with airbag

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - Additional instruments

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - Five-speed gearbox

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - bucket seats with lateral adjustment options

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - the seats promise sporty lateral support

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - integrated headrests, somewhat low depending on body height

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - Seat upholstery with unusual fabric

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - Airbag for driver and front passenger

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - integrated tweeters

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - the longitudinally mounted boxer engine is barely recognizable

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - changing spark plugs is not that easy

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - equipped with air conditioning

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - the large intercooler under the air scoop

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - Oil dipstick

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - Chassis badge

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - Weight data and chassis number

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - trademark on the front end

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - a few details are enough to recognize the car

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - the characteristic air scoop for the intercooler

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - the famous air scoop

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - the air vents on the hood reveal the fastest Subaru Impreza

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - Ventilation openings on the hood

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - for venting the engine compartment

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - Auxiliary headlights, here yellow foiled

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - gold-colored 16-inch wheels

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - the exterior mirrors are electrically adjustable from the inside

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - recessed door handles

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - no window frames, but wind noise

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - standard sliding roof, electrically operated

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - the large rear spoiler with integrated brake light

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - large rear lights

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - not standard - large subwoofer in the trunk

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - not standard - stovepipe-thick exhaust tailpipe

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - type designation affixed

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (2000) - Subaru lettering on the rear

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Subaru 1600 4WD (1979) - Bernhard Russi and his second Subaru

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Subaru 1600 4WD (1979) - at the Geneva Motor Show in 1979

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Subaru Leone RX Turbo - Per Eklund and Dave Whittock at the 1987 Monte-Carlo Rally

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Subaru Impreza Hatchback (1995) - Advertising in Germany

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (1994) - Advertising - PS 211 PS

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Subaru Impreza WRC (1993) - Ari Vatanen at the 1993 1000 Lakes Rally

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Subaru Impreza Prodrive (1993) - offered as lot 40 at the Artcurial Sur les Champs auction on October 24, 2021

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Subaru Impreza WRC (1995) - RAC Rally 1995

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Subaru Impreza Terzo (1997) - Special model for the third constructors' title in the WRC

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Subaru Impreza McRae (1995) - Special model limited to 200 units

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Subaru Impreza (1996) - Advertising - 1995 World Rally Champion

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Subaru Impreza (1998) - in the Youngtimer Rally Evo special show - Rétromobile Paris 2022

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Subaru Impreza 22B STi (1998) - With Bilstein suspension and 300 hp

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Subaru Impreza WRC (1995) - 3rd place at the 1995 Corsica Rally - Auto e Moto d'Epoca 2018

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Goodwood Festival of Speed 2014 - Subaru Impreza 555 (1994) - in the classic livery

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Subaru Impreza (2000) - World Rally Championship

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Subaru Impreza WRX - on the Life Rally Stage at the Race Retro 2018

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Subaru Impreza WRC S 6 (2000) - Goodwood Festival of Speed 2022

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Subaru Impreza WRC S 6 (2000) - Goodwood Festival of Speed 2022

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Subaru Impreza GT Turbo (1999) - Advertising in Germany

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Summary

In 1995, Subaru won the World Rally Championship with Colin McRae, and the Impreza was used from 1994 onwards. A version suitable for everyday use that breathed the spirit of the rally Impreza also made sense for commercial reasons. However, Subaru only introduced a left-hand drive turbo version in dribs and drabs, first in Switzerland and then in other markets. And the car is still a lot of fun today! This driving report is about a late Subaru Impreza GT Turbo of the first generation and shows it in many pictures and archive material.

This article contains the following chapters

Impreza below the Legacy
Rally versions with more or less proximity to series production
Derivation for the road
Also available in Germany from 1996
Continuous refinements
Driving like Colin McRae?
Balance and suitability for everyday use as an argument

Estimated reading time: 10min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In the 1970s, Subaru cars - the name means "to join or unite" - were mainly bought in alpine regions and often by farmers or foresters. Thanks to (selectable) all-wheel drive, the Subaru 1600/1800 4WD models usually had an advantage in difficult terrain and the vehicles were robust and durable. However, they were not considered sporty. This changed, however, when Subaru began to rack up victories in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and finally won the Drivers' World Championship title with Colin McRae in 1995. In addition to the manufacturers' title in 1995, two further first places were achieved in 1996 and 1997. Subaru was no longer considered unsportsmanlike. It therefore made sense to transfer the fame to the road, in line with the motto "win on Sunday, sell on Monday". In this country, however, the Japanese manufacturer was rather timid in its approach.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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