2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch Review and Performance Comparison

Subaru Impreza Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch is a powered by a Petrol Flat 4. This variant of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.

This particular Subaru Impreza has a 2457cc Turbo Petrol powerplant driven by the Subaru All Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol Flat 4's include the 2010 Subaru Impreza STI CS 400 - Cosworth - Hatch

The Impreza shares its Petrol Flat 4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2010 Subaru Impreza STI CS 400 - Cosworth - Hatch and the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205 Spec C - Hatch.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the Impreza's All Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2024 Aspark Owl AWD or the earlier 2019 Pininfarina Battista 1900.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1505 kgs (3317 lbs) places the Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch in a similar weight category as the 2025 Toyota Supra A90 Final Edition and the excellent 2025 Ferrari 296 Speciale A, give or take 50kg.

The Subaru Impreza shares the same bhp with the 2024 Audi A3 S3 Sportback (328 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 2457cc 16 valve, Flat 4 engine produces around 325 bhp (242 kW) @ 5400 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Audi A3 S3 Sportback (328 bhp) and also the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RZ High Performance Automatic (300 bhp).

The Turbo Flat 4 throws out 347 lb-ft (470.4 Nm) @ 340 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mercedes S Class 580 e 4MATIC EQ Hybrid Technology (369 lb-ft) or the 2024 Audi A3 RS 3 Saloon (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 2008 Subaru Impreza in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 2012 Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro S-Tronic (240.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Subaru Impreza.

The Subaru Impreza has a power to weight ratio of 215.9 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 2008 Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch means you're competing with the 2012 Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro S-Tronic (240.9 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (240.6 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch generates around 230.5 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2024 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (255.3 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (255.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch can accelerate 0–60mph in 4.60 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 4.8 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch include the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs).

The Flat 4 engine of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2024 BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive (4.70 secs) and the 2023 Toyota Supra GR 2.0 (4.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch and the Jaguar XK R S 4.2 V8 Supercharged

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 2008 Subaru Impreza can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.06 secs with a trap speed around 104.3 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Jaguar XK R S 4.2 V8 Supercharged (13.07 seconds @ 104.2 mph) and a close race between the Porsche Cayman S 3.4l (13.07 seconds @ 104.2 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 2008 version of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 Impreza equals the Maserati Ghibli 4.7 V8 (154 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch then there's the slightly slower the Maserati Ghibli 4.7 V8 (154 mph) or how about the impressive Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 3.2 V6 GSi (154 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 2008 Impreza Rivals List.
• 2008 Impreza: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Subaru
• Compare the 2008 Subaru Impreza