The WRX’s storied history began in 1992, coinciding with the introduction of the first-generation Subaru Impreza. A product of Group A rallying’s homologation rules, the WRX has earned its reputation as the ultimate rally car for the road.

The formula was simple. Take an Impreza, chuck Subaru’s AWD system on it, slap a turbocharger on its flat-four powerplant and top the package off with a hood scoop and a big rally wing. This template created a legend and has been more or less the same ever since.


GC8/GF8 (1992 – 2000)

Replacing the Subaru Legacy as their weapon of choice in the World Rally Championship (WRC), the Subaru Impreza was released to almost instant success. Smaller and more agile than its older brother, the Impreza proved straight away that it could hang with the rest of the pack and went on to start a legendary rivalry with a certain tri-diamond manufacturer.

Off the rally circuit, the WRX was proving to be a hit with the general public. Its relatively sedate looks (in non-STI guise anyway), four-door practicality, rally-bred turbocharged performance and AWD grip, and fairly reasonable price tag made it a tasty proposition in its day.

The WRX was released on Australian shores in 1994 with an output of 155kW and 270Nm. Tipping the scales at a meagre 1270kg, the WRX gave local heroes like the SS Commodore and Falcon XR8 a run for their money, earning itself a giant-killer reputation.

For those craving a more focused WRX, the STI was also offered in Australia in their Version 5 and Version 6 guises, albeit in limited numbers. Opting for the STI over the WRX added more power, uprated suspension, special STI bucket seats, gold wheels and an even bigger rear wing.


Part Numbers:

1994 - 1998 GC8/GF8 WRX & WRX STI AWD Front - DB1219 GCT, DB1219 HD, DB1219 ULT

1994 - 1998 GC8/GF8 WRX & WRX STI AWD Front w/ 2 Pot Front Calipers - DB1342 GCT, DB1342 4WD, DB1342 HD, DB1342 ULT

1994 - 1998 GC8/GF8 WRX & WRX STI AWD Rear – DB1186 GCT, DB1186 HD, DB1186 ULT

1998 - 2000 GC8/GF8 WRX & WRX STI AWD Front w/ 4 Pot Front Calipers - DB1170 GCT, DB1170 HD, DB1170 ULT, DB1170 SRT, DB1170 BR

1998 - 2000 GC8/GF8 WRX & WRX STI AWD Front w/ 2 Pot Front Calipers - DB1342 GCT, DB1342 4WD, DB1342 HD, DB1342 ULT

1998 - 2000 GC8/GF8 WRX & WRX STI AWD Rear - DB1186 GCT, DB1186 HD, DB1186 ULT


GD/GG “Bugeye” (2000 – 2002)

After eight years of service, Subaru retired the GC chassis in 2000 in favour of the “New Age” Impreza. Bigger, comfier and more refined than its predecessor, the “New Age” update brought the Impreza to a wider market.

However, it was released to a rather mixed reaction. This can be chalked up to the design of the front-end. Dubbed the “Bugeye” by Subaru aficionados thanks to its round headlights, the “New Age” Impreza was introduced to a rather polarising reaction with some considering it to be a far cry from the previous generation’s more aggressive good looks.

However, there was still some good news. Underneath the softer, more plush exterior, the WRX was still the same fire-breathing rally rocket car enthusiasts had come to love. Sticking to the same turbocharged AWD formula set by its predecessor, the Bugeye WRX could still hang with the best of them, so those who could look past its polarising looks were in for a treat.

The Bugeye Rex also received an up-spec’d STI variant which added power due in no small part to a larger intercooler and turbocharger, STI seats and other interior bits, special STI suspension components as well those classic gold STI wheels. New for the STI, big Brembo brakes were fitted all round to help bring the heavier chassis to halt with ease. The STI was also offered with a 6-speed transmission in place of the WRX’s 5-speed. The Bugeye WRX STI marked the first STI model to be sold in unlimited numbers in Australia.


Part Numbers:

2000 - 2007 GD/GG WRX AWD Front - DB1170 GCT, DB1170 HD, DB1170 ULT, DB1170 SRT, DB1170 BR

2000 - 2007 GD/GG WRX AWD Rear - DB1220 GCT, DB1220 HD, DB1220 ULT, DB1220 SRT

2000 - 2007 GD WRX STI AWD Front - DB1678 GCT, DB1678 HD, DB1678 ULT, DB1678 SRT

2000 - 2007 GD WRX STI AWD Rear - DB1521 GCT, DB1521 ULT, DB1521 SRT


GD/GG “Blobeye” (2002 – 2005)

In 2002, the GD chassis received its first facelift. Recognising complaints about the Bugeye’s soft appearance, Subaru set to rectify this and introduced what would go on to be known as the “Blobeye” by enthusiasts around the world. The goofy-looking round headlights were done away with in favour of a set of more rectangular lamps.

The redesign was an instant hit with Subaru fans, reminiscent of the aggressive lines of the first Impreza. WRX fans that were put off by the Bugeye’s looks were reeled back in by the release of the Blobeye, eventually becoming the favourite of the bunch for many in terms of styling between the very first and current of the WRX’s lineage.

Underneath the skin, the WRX was business as usual. Mechanically, the Blobeye WRX remained relatively changed from its predecessor, which is by no means a bad thing. The Blobeye WRX was still the same rally rocket for the road it had always been. It had just returned to being a menacing sight in rear-view mirrors, just like the first-gen Impreza.

The Blobeye WRX STI also remained largely unchanged apart from the inclusion of an enormous hood scoop and return of that signature big rally wing. However, the 2005 WRX STI saw two major inclusions. The first was the change to a 5x114.3 stud pattern from the 5x100 stud pattern that was standard for Subarus at the time. The second was the introduction of DCCD for Australian market models. DCCD (Driver Control Centre Differential) allowed the driver to adjust torque split between the front and rear wheels from the comfort of their own seat. This system allowed for a torque split from 50/50% to 35/65% front to rear, allowing for a more dynamic driving experience.


Part Numbers:

2000 - 2007 GD/GG WRX AWD Front - DB1170 GCT, DB1170 HD, DB1170 ULT, DB1170 SRT, DB1170 BR

2000 - 2007 GD/GG WRX AWD Rear - DB1220 GCT, DB1220 HD, DB1220 ULT, DB1220 SRT

2000 - 2007 GD WRX STI AWD Front - DB1678 GCT, DB1678 HD, DB1678 ULT, DB1678 SRT

2000 - 2007 GD WRX STI AWD Rear - DB1521 GCT, DB1521 ULT, DB1521 SRT


GD/GG “Hawkeye” (2005 – 2007)

In 2005, Subaru gave us yet another facelift of the GD Impreza chassis. Whilst not as controversial as the Bugeye’s front end styling, this third facelift did receive criticism for the design of its front grille. Designed as Subaru’s corporate face, the front grille which was meant to resemble an aircraft intake (alluding to Subaru’s history as an aircraft manufacturer), was likened to a pig’s nose which in turn gave this facelift model the “Pignose” nickname. Thanks to its angular headlights, it was also dubbed the “Hawkeye” by Subaru enthusiasts - a far less derogatory nickname.

Along with the styling update, the Australian market Hawkeye WRX also saw a major update underneath the bonnet. Since the first-generation, the WRX had been powered by the trusty 2.0L flat-four EJ20. The Hawkeye introduced the 2.5L EJ25 to the Australian WRX. This improved down-low driveability a great deal. Whilst power remained the same at 169kW, torque jumped to 320Nm.

The Hawkeye STI also received the 2.5L powerplant with a power output of 206kW and 382Nm. On the outside it was unmistakeably an STI, with the Hawkeye also receiving the same treatment as the STI offerings that had come before it. STI buyers were still treated to those massive Brembo brakes, clever DCCD system, and of course, that big rally wing. `


Part Numbers:

2000 - 2007 GD/GG WRX AWD Front - DB1170 GCT, DB1170 HD, DB1170 ULT, DB1170 SRT, DB1170 BR

2000 - 2007 GD/GG WRX AWD Rear - DB1220 GCT, DB1220 HD, DB1220 ULT, DB1220 SRT

2000 - 2007 GD WRX STI AWD Front - DB1678 GCT, DB1678 HD, DB1678 ULT, DB1678 SRT

2000 - 2007 GD WRX STI AWD Rear - DB1521 GCT, DB1521 ULT, DB1521 SRT