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A PEEK IN THE PERFORMANCE ATTIC – PART SIX
SUBARU IMPREZA 2.5RX



arrows AMONG THE MUSEUM VEHICLES STORED BY SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. (SOA) IN A WAREHOUSE NEAR ITS HEADQUARTERS IN CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY, IS A RALLY BLUE IMPREZA COUPE. AT FIRST GLANCE, IT LOOKS LIKE AN IMPREZA 22B STI. A BADGE ON THE TRUNK LID SAYS “2.5RX.”

According to the SOA in-house technicians who worked on this car, emulating the appearance of a 22B was one of their goals. Ultimately, the 2.5RX was used to help introduce the 2002 WRX to the American market. Built as a project car in mid-1998, this car was made available to journalists to promote the performance side of Subaru. The car also was shown at a number of auto shows around the years 1999 and 2000.

arrows BODY IN BLUE

The SOA technicians started work on the body by stripping it down to the shell and custom-painting it Rally Blue.

The car’s hood was replaced by one made of aluminum. It was procured from contacts in Japan. The hood is held closed by hood pins instead of a latch, and it features a scoop and two vents.

Under the bumper, the air dam carries fog lights like the ones on the 22B. The air dam was modified to draw air into the 2.5RX’s front-mount intercooler.

In the back, the technicians bolted a 22B rear wing to the trunk lid. It was supplied by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

arrows HEALTHIER ENGINE

Under the hood, work on the standard 2.5-liter, double-overhead-camshaft engine was spearheaded by Sport Compact Car magazine and A’PEX®. They added a retro turbocharger kit along with intercooler. The Rally Blue tubes that comprise much of the plumbing complement the vehicle’s exterior paint. The addition of the turbo necessitated some modifications to the engine’s electronic controls.

Other than the turbocharger/intercooler pieces, the engine is the stock 2.5-liter four-cylinder that was standard in the car.

An oversize muffler was added at the end of the exhaust system.

The engine drives through the standard five-speed manual transmission to which an Advanced Clutch Technology heavy-duty clutch was added.

arrows SPORTIER CHASSIS

Chassis modifications include those to the suspension, wheels, and tires.

Both the front and rear suspensions were given aluminum lower control arms and modified sway bars. The rear sway bar enables small adjustments. Helping to provide a stable base for suspension components is an STi shock-tower brace.

Seventeen-inch Volk Racing Daytona Speed wheels were chosen for the 2.5RX, fitted with 215/45 R17 Pirelli P7000 performance tires.

arrows CUSTOM INTERIOR

Inside, front passengers are greeted by seats custom-built by RECARO. The blue leather upholstery is embroidered with “2.5RX” logos. In addition, the driver’s seat features a five-point seatbelt.

The technician team installed the McIntosh® audio system found in six-cylinder Outback wagons at that time. The audio components required extra power from the electrical system.

Other highlights around the cabin include white-faced instrumentation, gauges on the center dash, two more gauges on the driver-side A-pillar, and carbon fiber inserts.

arrows PREPARING FOR PERFORMANCE

Along with other modified Subaru models, the Impreza 2.5RX helped prepare Subaru fans for the introduction of the WRX to America. These custom-built vehicles are testaments to SOA’s desire to import the right cars for their American customers.

By measuring interest and foreshadowing the impact of the WRX, the 2.5RX contributed to its overwhelmingly successful launch.

Go to www.drive.subaru.com and www.driveperformance.subaru.com for articles on other historic Subaru Attic vehicles.

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