This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2025 on Saturday the 8th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. From the early 1990s through to 2008, Subaru enjoyed enormous success on the World Rally stage and the Impreza was the star. All-wheel drive, great acceleration, traction and brakes made the cars seriously capable performers. The WRX or World Rally Experimental, production car was based on the rally-winning Impreza and carried over many of the driver-focused features and systems. The letters ‘STi’ hold a special sort of appeal for many Subaru Impreza enthusiasts. Think of 'Subaru Technica International' as the go-faster wing of Subaru much as M is to BMW, AMG is to Mercedes or, more accurately, Ralliart is to Mitsubishi. STi-badged Imprezas command serious respect and the officially imported UK cars are always in big demand. The WRX STi was the top of the line version and in good hands it was a hard to beat car. By 2004, the second-generation WRX had seen a styling step-change from the original design, garnering the colloquial moniker of, initially, ‘bug-eye’ and post (another) facelift ‘blob-eye’, the latter being an altogether more handsome car, which was to remain in production for the following two years. For 2005, Subaru launched the Impreza WRX STi ‘Type UK’, which featured a new front sub-frame and uprated suspension components, along with a wider rear track, to improve the responsiveness of the already superb chassis. Considered a sweet spot amongst modern Impreza models, the WRX STi Type UK retained the venerable 262bhp flat-four 2-litre engine, which is often perceived as being superior to the later 2.5-litre models, in terms of reliability and tuneability. The WRX STi Type UK also featured a heavily revised drivetrain comprising front and rear limited-slip differentials and a Driver Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD) which allows the torque distribution to be adjusted between 35/65 and 50/50 front/rear. Added to this, you could option your Type UK to be factory-fitted with the Prodrive Performance Pack (PPP), which includes a re-calibrated ECU, an uprated exhaust system, and a higher capacity fuel pump which increases the engine power substantially to 301bhp, giving a 0-60mph time of 4.5 seconds, which is quick, even by today’s standards. As with all rally-spec models, it is often the way that such cars simply cover the ground, at serious pace, inspiring confidence, even in the harshest conditions. The WRX STi Type UK also sported new wider 10-spoke alloy wheels painted in traditional Subaru gold which came as standard, along with some subtle upgrades to the interior with more colour-coding and a restyled 3-spoke leather steering wheel. The car presented here is a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Type UK PPP and is in quite simply exceptional condition. Delivered new via Donnelly Subaru of Belfast, and accompanied by its complete book pack and all important PPP Certificate, this splendid Subaru has been owned by our vendor - a genuine marque enthusiast - for many years; this best of breed example has covered just over 18,000 miles, whilst remaining in original factory condition having been lavished with regular servicing/maintenance. Stored in a CarCoon, used sparingly and fastidiously cared for, this car is remarkable. Finding Japanese performance cars in this state of preservation is becoming much harder, whilst remaining in standard specification is also relatively rare, but the combination demonstrated in this 20 year old modern-classic example is quite something to behold. A car to both collect and drive, there is much to appeal here. If limited edition, great in period reviews, originality, low-mileage and low ownership are markers for what makes a great modern-classic, then this car is surely ‘Holy Grail’ material. The sheer composure, agility and dynamics that a special Impreza can offer up are qualities to behold and now celebrate, as new models offering the analogue experience, the Toyota GR Yaris not withstanding, are now almost non-existent. Bag a 'good un' fast and enjoy!