In 2000, the second generation of the Impreza model came on the market, again in sedan and station wagon body versions. And a year later, the sports version of the WRX also hit the market. Over the years, this generation saw two facelifts, which were distinguished mainly by the design of the front headlights. The original ones were nicknamed " bug eyes " and were carried by models A and B. However, this look did not gain much popularity, so the " blobeye " shape appeared, which was carried by models C, D and E. The last the facelift earned the nickname " hawkeye " and complemented the new Tribeca SUV-style grille on the F and G models
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The new Imprezas adopted the designation GD (the previous ones carried the GC code) and adopted a five-speed gearbox from their predecessors. A more modern six-speed only appeared later in the WRX STI model. The wheels were newly seventeen inches. The base engine in the WRX was derived from the older WRX STI Version 6 with a new variable valve timing system and was rated at 184 kW. The Torsen rear self-locking differential was also new. The weight of the car was 1340 kg. To celebrate the success of Subaru cars in Britain , the WRX UK300 Edition appeared. As the name suggests, 300 units were produced. At first glance, the 18-inch OZ wheels with Pirelli Rosso P Zero tires and the different rear wing caught the eye. Inside, a flood of blue Alcantara or leather, whichever you chose, awaited the driver.
The STI had to be adapted to stricter emission standards for the change. Their power started at 195 kW, but in some markets, customers had the option of having a car with a power of 210 kW. In addition to the sedan, you could also have the STI in a station wagon version, and you could also get a base model WRX Type RA STI suitable as a base car for race modification. At first glance, the STI versions were distinguished by the headlights, which did not have their entire surface covered with glass, like the WRX .
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The second version was presented in September 2001. Mechanically, it practically did not change, except for a slight increase in torque, but the total weight of the car increased to 1350 kg. The appearance received more significant changes, where more aggressive elements were added. In addition to the Type RA model, the automaker introduced an even lighter model labeled the WRX STI Spec C. Weight has dropped thanks to lightweight glass and body panels. Thanks to new arms in the wheel suspensions, the wheelbase was increased by 15 mm, which contributed to better handling. And the transmissions had their own oil cooler.
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November 2002 saw the premiere of the third version of the sporty WRX , which had a modified look based on the facelift of the serial Impreza. Power and torque figures remained unchanged. But the braking system was improving, now there were cooled discs on all wheels, four-piston calipers at the front, two-piston calipers at the rear. But the weight of the car has increased again, to 1361 kg.
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The fourth version came on the market in 2003. The lightweight versions merged into a single WRX STI Spec C Type RA , which had a new carbon spoiler and new BBS wheels. In addition, the automaker introduced the WRX STI V-Limited edition, which was modified by a Subaru racing driver Toshi Arai .
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The new 2004 version was sold for the first time in the US market. Subaru presented the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VIII at the Detroit Auto Show exactly one month after the American premiere. In addition to the classic versions, the WRX WR-Limited edition with a front underspoiler, rear wing and gold alloy wheels from the STI version also appeared. The shifter head was made of Titanium . Another special edition was the British WRX STI WR1 , which in the rest of the world was called the WRX STI Petter Solberg editio n . Limited edition of 1000 cars to celebrate Petter Solberg 's WRC championship . The power of the cars was 239 kW. Prodrive , who prepared the cars, set them apart with a special Ice Blue metallic paint and Prodrive PFF7 Pewter wheels.
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Just one year later, Subaru presented another version of the WRX with a new facelift. Now all WRXs had the increased wheelbase like the STI and wider wheels. The steering was modified and the wheel spacing was also changed, for example, from the previous 5×100 mm to 5×114.3 mm. The interior was also redesigned, dominated by a new center console. The new edition was the WRX300 , when the name again referred to the number of units produced. New was blue Mica paint and seventeen inch gold alloy wheels. The car's output was 195 kW, which was mainly due to the use of the Prodrive Performance Package . But the price was not much higher than a regular WRX with an extra package. In addition, Prodrive modified the front brakes, shock absorbers, used a different rear spoiler and eighteen-inch PFF7 wheels. Another edition was the WRX RB320 , which was created to honor the memory of the late Richard Burns , who won the world championship title with the Impreza in 2001 . The cars were painted black and had the new Prodrive chassis developed with Bilstein and Eibach . The edition logo is placed in many places in the interior.
The S203 special model was derived from the WRX STI version, distinguished by special BBS wheels. It was followed by the S204 with a new roof spoiler and radiator grille that did not appear on any other Impreza . Power was increased to 239 kW and the six-speed gearbox was modified. The entire car had a lower ground clearance, the STI department collaborated with Yamaha on chassis modifications. Aerodynamics were modified by a new front carbon subspoiler and rear diffuser. P Zero Corsa tires were supplied by Pirelli . The new specially shaped seats again came from Recaro . A total of 600 cars of the S204 edition were produced, each one had a special plaque with a serial number. However, another 5 cars without a plaque were delivered to New Zealand , so the actual number of cars is uncertain.
The special edition was the WRX STI Spec C. Tuning was again done by Toshi Arai, and the cars had modified dampers and anti-roll bars, which again improved the car's handling. The engine mount was made of plastic components to limit the vibrations transmitted to the cabin, which proved to be a problematic solution in some cars, so the plastic parts were later replaced by rubber ones. This car then became the basis for the homologation of the special group N rally car. By November 2005, a total of 350 cars of the WRX STI Spec C version had been produced. This version was followed by the WRX STI Spec C Type RA , in which more additional elements from the STI catalog appeared on the car. For example, new adjustable shock absorbers with pink springs and redesigned mounts, new suspension, larger exhaust tip, seventeen- inch Enkei wheels and a new front spoiler.
The Spec C version was based on the special edition S202 , which was supplemented with a whole range of parts from the STI catalog. The car had special yellow seats with the STI logo, a smaller and lighter air conditioning compressor and ventilated grooved brake discs. Another edition built on the Spec C model was the WRX STI Spec C Type RA-R . This is how the hard-to-remember edition was created in 300 copies at the end of October 2007. It was equipped with 18-inch Enkei wheels, a special chassis from the STI department, six-piston Brembo front brakes, which changed color from silver to gold when warmed up, and a new turbocharger. The power of the car was 235 kW. The last letter R in the name stands for "Radical" and indicated the new modifications of the car.
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The latest evolution of the second generation WRX was mechanically identical to the previous one. However, the STI used a new VF43 turbocharger (previously VF39 was used) and a redesigned gearbox. The STI version was based on a modified A-Line edition, which lacked the large rear wing. The Brembo brakes were painted black, the Enkei wheels in titanium, the interior and seats are upholstered in a black combination of fabric and Alcantara. Another version of the STI was the Spec D , which seemed almost discreet. There was a regular wing from the WRX at the rear, the wheels were painted silver. The 200W audio system was supplied by Pioneer , the radio had an iPod connection and bluetooth synchronization with a mobile phone. Sound insulation was improved and the car was also equipped with a new type of air conditioning. But these are not the things that interest Impreza owners. You were more pleased with the increase in power to 206 kW. 300 cars were produced in Crystal Gray metallic. The last limited edition was the Impreza WRX STI GB270 from 2007, which was produced in 400 copies, of which an even hundred with a station wagon body and gray metallic. The sedans received the blue color WR Blue Mica. The name of the edition came from the use of a 2.5 L turbocharged engine. Total power was 199 kW and torque 420 Nm. The car accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 5 seconds and accelerated to a final speed of 235 km/h. Modified shock absorbers with reduced ground clearance and alloy wheels were supplied by Prodrive .
But then the water closed over the second generation with frameless windows on the doors. A design revolution was about to take place in the history of the Impreza WRX ….
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