Exterior Features, Quality:
Imprezas are legendary cars. Quite simply, they rule the World Rally Championship, almost always finishing in the top 3, and commonly taking 1st place. The race car represented here placed fourth in the Rally of Portugal in 2001, though finishing only three minutes behind the leader, Mäkinen's Evo VI. I had trouble deciding between the street Impreza and this racing version but I ended up getting the race version, obviously, since it offered more detail. What I received literally knocked my socks off.
An unbelievable detailed exterior. Heck, the words don't even begin to describe it. This ranks with the king of modelcars, Exoto. Really. Let's start with the decals and paint. For the most part, they're tampos but I can recognize some sticker placement, which is okay (Minichamps does it too), but not necessarily great in the long run as stickers can lose their adhesive and peel off after time. However, they're extremely well done and the model looks fantastic. Stunning blue paint is applied, in huge contrast (a bit garish, in my opinion) with gold-colored wheels (a STi trademark, if I'm not mistaken). Tires are marked Pirelli PZero (finally, an Autoart with marked tires!) and wheels are just very well done. Brake discs spin with the wheels and calipers look fantastic.
Front lights are different in the race Imprezas compared with street Imprezas because they have no cover over them. However, Autoart doesn't slack off here and whips out extremely detailed bulbs and superb carbon-fiber looking trim around them. Heating vents are perforated and the monster hood scoop looks perfect. The tiny Subaru badge at the front of the model is a separate piece and is very well applied. Tiny fog lights are present here as well, although I can make out the attachment stub. However, no deduction here, as Autoart makes it clear looking as though it's part of the light. Very cool.
The double antennae on the roof are a bit flimsy-looking but are actually well in place. The roof vent again has no visible discoloration as would be expected of a cheaper piece. The side turning indicator is a separate piece and looks absolutely amazing. Autoart has improved a lot in this category. The rear spoiler looks awesome but the color seems a tiny bit darker than the rest of the model...maybe it's the light though. While we're talking about it, paint is flawless and the metallic is carried out very well. Rear lights are extremely realistic, the best I've seen yet on an Autoart. The huge license plate is very well done, with an even and accurate application. The one exhaust pipe is hollow and has a stunning metallic effect to it. The model itself is very heavy and feels high quality, which is what it is.
25/25
Interior Features, Quality:
The very busy-looking exterior is matched by the racing interior. Complete with roll cage, fire extinguishers and a spare tire tied with realistic-looking rope, the interior is nothing short of phenomenal. The seats are of the very same material as is used in the Evo VII, also by Autoart. There is no carpet, accurately as the goal of a rally car is to also have a light weight and nothing unnecessary is included. The dash, at first, seems spartan in detail but there's nothing simple about it: while the driver is just given a few instruments, the co-driver has to deal with a complicated array of digital and analog switches and dials. If you have this model at home, check the interior out under light - you'll be amazed. I count two fire extinguishers, one under each occupant's feet. The co-driver has to deal with a lot more under his feet, with a ton of wiring and instruments located just ahead of the fire extinguisher. The seats come with blue Sabelt seatbelts which look fantastic. The rear tire, of the same shape and type as the other tires on the model, is also marked Pirelli PZero and is tied down with a few ropes. These have an amazing feel to them, and bring a whole new dimension of detail to the model. All in all, very impressive.
25/25
Features:
The Subaru Impreza WRC features an opening hood, doors and trunk. Okay, the only major problem with this model is that the hood doesn't stay open. I hate to comment on this again, but it becoming increasingly annoying that Autoart is not making sure that the opening parts stay open. The engine detail is okay, but not that impressive. It is plumbed and wired but looks like it's missing something. Doors are hung on tiny, almost unnoticeable hinges, and finally have glass on them, instead of nothing. That is definitely a step in the right direction. The trunk opens up to reveal a busy compartment with no barrier between it and the so-called interior. There are some latches and you can get a great view of the tread pattern of the spare tire from this opening.
24/25
Value:
One of the best values on the market, undoubtedly. I paid just $50 for mine, including shipping, which means that even at this relatively low price, Autoart really delivers, judging by the content of this review. There are many versions currently available of the race Impreza, including Rally of Portugal models from 2001 and 2002 (this one is a 2001) and Rally of Monte Carlo models of 2001 and 2002. There are also street Imprezas avaiable in grey, silver, white, and black. However, their detail pales in comparison to what is offered here. Furthermore, there is a much higher chance that the race Imprezas will gain in value, as is common when comparing race vs. street prices in the long-term. Any way you look at it, the Impreza WRC is one of the best values in the market.
24/25
Overall:
The best Autoart yet? You bet, and only if they had solved the problem with the hood, it would have gotten an even higher score. What's important here is that Autoart has made strides in realism in the past year, while other modelmakers sit still, content with what they already have going. This is certainly one of the best models I own, definitely in my top ten. And, while the Impreza's looks may not satisfy most, but it looks aggressive and even somewhat "sincere" in this race iteration. Most importantly, this is a Concours-level model, with almost enough detail and realism to compete with the best of them, ie. Exoto and CMC. However, there are still problems to be solved, but in the meanwhile, I'm looking...no, staring at what is the biggest surprise so far, of the year. Well done, Autoart!
