Story by David S. Wallens • Photograph Courtesy Subaru
Picture a landscape before the WRX existed. No turbos, no flared fenders, no 300-horsepower engines right from the dealer.
Such were the years before 2002. Okay, true, Subaru offered the WRX in other markets dating back to 1992, but, as usual, American enthusiasts missed out. Here, we knew Subarus as inexpensive and built to stay that way.
But we got a taste of things to come for the 1998 model year with the release of the Impreza 2.5 RS. Turbo power? Nope. Motivation came from the Impreza’s optional 2.5-liter boxer engine, while, like the rest of the Subaru lineup, standard equipment included all-wheel drive.
So what made the 2.5 RS special? It looked the part.
Fog lights stuck in the front bumper? Of course.
A hood that was both scooped and vented? Yes, ma’am.
The rear wing, upsized brakes and alloy wheels were also part of the package.
Consider this: At that moment, it offered a…
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