2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STi RB320

The late Richard Burns was and still is one of the most revered and rightfully lauded British rally drivers having taken 10 World Championship victories and of course the 2001 World Rally Championship in what was a tragically short career. A switch to Subaru in 1999 to drive the WRC Impreza meant that he was finally able to challenge for the title, eventually finishing second to Tommi Makinen in the mighty Evo VI. However, the following year he became the first Englishman to lead the WRC with wins in Portugal, Kenya and Argentina, but again beaten to the top spot by Marcus Gronholm. 2001 was the year of redemption and ultimate success for Burns, despite a tough start to the season, his third-place finish on home soil at the Network Q Rally of Great Britain was enough to secure the championship.

In 2007, Subaru UK importers IM Group produced a limited-edition Impreza based on the ‘Hawkeye’ in memory of Richard Burns following his premature passing in 2005, called the RB320, the 320 denoting both the bhp output and the numbered production run. Exclusively available in Obsidian Black Pearl paint, it was a WRX STi with the Prodrive tuning package and a bespoke chassis set-up with Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs and a lower ride height. Externally the RB320 can be identified by a stainless-steel mesh grille, a new front lip spoiler, STi sill plates and bespoke 18” Dark Anthracite alloy wheels. With Richard Burns’ name attached to it, the RB320 had to have the bite to match the bark and, with 316bhp (320ps) on tap, it delivers seriously impressive performance with 0-60mph dispatched in 4.8s and a top speed of nearly 160mph. Combine this with superb handling characteristics and you have a mightily capable car, a worthy challenger to anything when presented with a B-Road.

RB320 #123/320 was purchased new on 18th July 2007 and this wonderful low-mileage example presents itself in simply outstanding condition having covered just 23,290 miles. Unlike so many Imprezas, this is a totally standard specification car with no modifications and is supplied with a full-service history including the original purchase invoice of £31,000 which included optional leather and Alcantara seats (£1,276.60) which give a much more premium feel to the interior. Within the history file are various receipts and invoices, as well as all the original booklets in their leather Subaru wallet. The car has been serviced regularly and the MOT history verifies the low mileage.

With many Japanese performance cars of this era having fairly basic interiors, the RB320 reminds you that you are piloting something special, with the seats, gear knob, and floor mats all displaying the bright RB320 logo (the colour being a nod to the late Richard Burns famous helmet colour).

With the prices of special Subarus such as the P1 and highly coveted 22B skyrocketing to astronomical figures, this limited production run car appears to be extremely good value in todays market and may prove a rather wise investment.