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2008 Subaru Impreza WRX 4-Door Road Test

One of Subaru's recent ad campaigns for its Impreza says a lot about what has

No shortage of rally in its genes. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

changed with the car. In these spots, featuring German scientists/engineers lapping a track to Falco's Classic '80s hit, Rock Me Amadeus, Subaru claims that this is a car the Germans wish they'd built. Why should anyone care if the Germans would wish they'd built the Impreza? Subaru is one of the most successful engineering and rallying manufacturers in the automotive industry, and I have always loved them and their cars for it. But true to the commercial, something about this car seems like they tried to build a car that some other company would have built.

Now I understand that Subaru wants to push into another level of sales to generate better profits, but did they compromise too many of the Impreza's positive traits in order to achieve a more palatable vehicle for the masses? And when you make the leap to the WRX, a car for Subaru track-day devotees and driveway tinkerers, have they completely missed the mark? Frankly, no. Not completely.

The engine's mostly the same, but that's just fine as it's torquey and smooth. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

You see, there are plenty of things that the Impreza is that make it a true Subaru. The '08 Impreza is safer, the only top-rated compact by the IIHS, and it's better equipped than before too. The new interior is roomier, better built, and I reckon that this is a successful attempt at modern styling (judge it how you will, but it's more modern than the outgoing car). They've even made adjustments to lower the price despite all these improvements.

Under the scooped hood, the WRX's turbocharged engine is more or less the same, but thanks to a couple of quick fixes, the powertrain as a whole delivers its goods over a broader spectrum of the rev range, and it weighs less. Subaru has shaved weight from the intercooler, the intake manifold and the exhaust system. This powertrain is plunked down upon the

100 meters, kink right severity 2, 400 meters flat into crest into left, severity 4... Jon does his best rally driver impression. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

pillars that are a part of every Subaru; control. All Impreza WRXs come standard with AWD and stability control, and an automatic version of the WRX makes a return, but only when you order it with the optional $2,100 Premium pack.

But somewhere along the way, in the chassis, suspension and engineering upgrades, a subtle thread of magic was lost. I recall getting into the previous generation WRX and being instantly captivated by steering feel, shifter actuation and throttle response allowing complete and intuitive control of a lightly balanced car.

There are many reasons that could explain the WRX's changes. It could be the redesigned rear suspension, which is now a double wishbone design rather than struts. It could be that the installation of stability control means that the WRX can no longer be offered with a limited slip differential. It could be that the car, as a whole, has been set up to be softer and more comfortable, geared towards the daily drive, rather the once-in-a-blue-moon bull run.

But, after a week in the four-speed automatic

One-piece buckets hold you in tight through the bends. Cabin is better constructed than before. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

WRX, and then a further couple of weeks with a World Rally Blue WRX with the manual and clutch, I started to get the feel and the rally excitement that this WRX offers (as you can see from some of these pictures). It was just missing that instantaneous connection that great driver's cars have, particularly with the lower level of interaction in the slushy automatic, despite offering three different shift styles.

By the time I had to return the car, I was pushing it around corners with next to no easing up, tackling snowy roads at a decent clip (thank you, Subaru, for always using the best winter tires – the Swedes may know winter, but Subaru knows tires) and generally finding my inner hooligan again. Traffic never seemed to move fast enough; I couldn't find enough red lights from which to launch in the slush and the snow and there were never enough wide, open curves or empty lots in which to practice my Scandinavian flick.

4-Door is a North American-only offering. A five-door hatch is also available. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

Yes, the WRX is a great car, and although our editor claims that its at-the-limit performance has been lost, ultimate performance devotees will want to jump into the STI anyway, which by all accounts is unadulterated and fantastic (sign me up, Subaru). The WRX is a more popular badge and with these improvements can meet a wider audience's demands. The new 2008 model does so with a more comfortable ride and greater amenities, but it still has the raw abilities to meet most performance enthusiasts demands among those who are interested in that aspect. I would have a hard time choosing between the greater practicality of the hatchback and the styling of the sedan, which I prefer, but by my standards and with a good set of winter tires, the Impreza WRX is still my favorite winter warrior and a great all around sports sedan.

It's just a little less magical this time around.

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