1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V5 V-Limited - Classic JDM Review and Performance Comparison

Subaru Impreza Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V5 V-Limited - Classic JDM is a powered by a Petrol Flat 4. This variant of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI V5 V-Limited - Classic JDM is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 1998. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1999 Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged and the 1998 Mercedes CLK GTR 6.9 V12.

This particular Subaru Impreza has a 1994cc 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, Saloon combination then how about the 2024 Aspark Owl AWD or the earlier 2019 Pininfarina Battista 1900.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1190 kgs (2623 lbs) places the Subaru Impreza WRX STI V5 V-Limited - Classic JDM in a similar weight category as the 2020 Iso Rivolta GTZ 6.2 V8 Supercharged and the excellent 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo, give or take 50kg.

The Subaru Impreza shares the same bhp with the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR (276 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 1994cc 16 valve, Flat 4 engine produces around 276 bhp (205 kW) @ 6500 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR (276 bhp) and also the 2024 BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive (296 bhp).

The Turbo Flat 4 throws out 260 lb-ft (352.5 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 BYD Sealion 7 Comfort (280 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1998 Subaru Impreza in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 2022 Bentley Flying Spur Speed (256.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Subaru Impreza.

The Subaru Impreza has a power to weight ratio of 231.9 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 1998 Impreza WRX STI V5 V-Limited - Classic JDM means you're competing with the 2022 Bentley Flying Spur Speed (256.8 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2019 Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 W12 Twin Turbo (256.8 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 V5 V-Limited - Classic JDM generates around 218.4 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 2022 Mercedes EQE EQE SUV 43 4MATIC (243.4 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2022 Mercedes EQE SUV 43 4MATIC (243.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Subaru Impreza WRX STI V5 V-Limited - Classic JDM can accelerate 0–60mph in 4.70 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 4.9 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Subaru Impreza WRX STI V5 V-Limited - Classic JDM include the 2024 BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive (4.70 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2023 Toyota Supra GR 2.0 (4.70 secs).

The Flat 4 engine of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI V5 V-Limited - Classic JDM ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2022 Maserati Quattroporte Modena (4.80 secs) and the 2022 Maybach S 580 4MATIC (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Subaru Impreza WRX STI V5 V-Limited - Classic JDM and the Mercedes G Class 65 AMG 6.0 V12

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1998 Subaru Impreza can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.81 secs with a trap speed around 106.3 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Mercedes G Class 65 AMG 6.0 V12 (12.82 seconds @ 106.3 mph) and a close race between the Toyota Yaris GR RC Automatic (12.82 seconds @ 106.2 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 1998 version of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI V5 V-Limited - Classic JDM has a maximum speed of 135mph.

Top Speed of the 1998 Impreza equals the Pontiac Firebird 6.6L Trans Am (134 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 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V5 V-Limited - Classic JDM then there's the slightly slower the Pontiac Firebird 6.6L Trans Am (134 mph) or how about the impressive Ford Mustang GT 350 Shelby (134 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1998 Impreza Rivals List.
• 1998 Impreza: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Subaru
• Compare the 1998 Subaru Impreza