We ride shotgun with rally supremo Ken Block in his race-prepped Subaru Impreza WRX STI. It's powered by fire and brimstone, pops its exhaust more regularly than a Page 3 model drops her underwear, and has the kind of kick-in-the-kidneys torque most petrolheads can only dream about.
But the most astonishing thing about this car is not its power output. No - it's the fact it can probably produce more power. It's hard to believe when the car has been modded so much already; if you don't believe us, this is the basic spec sheet:
- 2.6-litre flat-six four-cylinder 'boxer' engine
- Cosworth block, bespoke for this car
- Rally dog-leg gearbox
- Uprated differentials
- Front-mounted intercooler
- Modified suspension pick-up points
- XDC dampers/shocks
- Carbon-fibre bonnet, rear wing and door panels
- Steel roof
- Motorsport roll cage
- 15-inch lightweight alloy wheels
- 15mm lowered suspension
- STI calipers/brakes
- Recaro sports seats
- Motorsport fuel tank
The Impreza currently pushes out 601bhp, and although it's never been timed, it's reckoned to be capable of 0-62mph in less than three seconds, with a top speed of around 130mph.
We've been in this rally beast hooning around a specially-constructed 'Gymkhana' style circuit at Silverstone and can testify to its pant-wetting power.