Impreza WRX STI

The GVB Impreza WRX STI four-door

Subaru added a four-door saloon to the third-generation WRX STI on 1 July 2010, almost three years after the hatchback, bringing back the saloon body of the earlier STIs. Its official name stayed Impreza WRX STI. Mechanically it matches the GRB of the same date: the 2.0-litre twin-scroll EJ20 at 308 PS and 422 Nm, a six-speed manual, all-wheel drive through a multi-mode DCCD, and new front aluminium lower arms with pillow-ball joints.

STI built the S206 on the four-door in November 2011, limited to 300 cars, and a Spec C was added to the four-door range in July 2012. The A-Line four-door, with a 2.5-litre engine and a five-speed automatic, is a separate code, GVF. The VAB replaced the GVB in August 2014, and the Impreza name was dropped.

What GVB owners upgrade

GVB owners lead with the look: aero kits from Varis and Zero Sports are the top order. Under the bonnet, the EJ20 gets exhaust manifolds and sports catalytic converters from the exhaust range, turbo kits and blow-off valves, and intake piping, with HKS, Tomei and GReddy among the makers.

On the chassis side, adjustable links and chassis bracing from the handling range set the saloon up for circuit use, while clutch kits from ORC and Cusco in the drivetrain and brake pads from Project Mu cope with the extra power. STI's own parts are popular too.

Genuine parts

The GVB shares the GRB's running gear, so many service items are common to both, but its saloon body panels, boot lid and rear wing are its own. Subaru's timing belt interval for the EJ20 is 100,000 km, sooner under severe use, and the Brembo brakes squeal and make dust by nature rather than as a fault. Before buying, put the chassis number through Subaru's recall search. Our genuine Subaru parts catalogue lists the GVB's parts.

Wheels

The GVB has five studs on a 114.3 mm PCD with M12 x 1.25 nuts, and came on 18x8.5 +55 wheels, with 19x8.5 +53 on the 19-inch versions. Other sizes are listed under wheels that fit the GVB.