WRX STI Spec C RA-R

THE LEGEND surrounding Subaru’s Impreza WRX STI 22B is so big it’s easy to forget the brand made anything else as great. But the 2007 Impreza WRX STI Spec C RA-R stressed its importance almost in the length of its name alone.

While RA-R stood for ‘Record Attempt - Radical’, Subaru created its ultimate track car without the headline-grabbing Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time that now feels customary.

This model began with an STI Spec C (which stood for ‘Competition’) that already came with lighter glass, a thinner roof, a water-spray system for the intercooler, no sound deadening and a hatch in the roof for when the air conditioning was off. The radio was ditched as well.

The RA-R then used the Japanese-market’s special STI-tuned 2.0-litre EJ20 turbocharged boxer engine, fitted with a ball-bearing twin-scroll IHI turbo that helped it deliver 235kW at 6400rpm and 431Nm at 4400rpm. A new ECU set the redline at 8000rpm, and it howled through a titanium exhaust. You also shifted through the six-speed manual transmission with a unique gear knob.