Boy racer favourite grows up just a bit

But the latest WRX STi is a different car to its predecessors: still the same extraordinary performance and handling but with a bigger cabin equipped to premium car standards.

At a fiver under £29,000, it's a combination which make it a serious competitor in the market place as well as on the rally stages.

It tackles the 0 to 62mph sprint in 5.2 seconds and is capable of almost 160mph: but with its rally-honed four wheel drive system adding traction and stability through the corners it's real world performance where the car shines.

And, as proof of the pudding, a standard production version of the car smashed the lap record for four wheelers on the twisty Isle of Man TT circuit. In the hands of British rally ace Mark Higgins, it completed the 37.75 miles in 19 minutes 15.9 seconds, at an average speed of 117.51mph – breaking the record held by its predecessor, the last generation WRX, by more than 40 seconds.

The power comes from a turbocharged 2.5 litre version of Subaru's signature 'boxer', the distinctive sounding four cylinder horizontally opposed engine which produces 300PS and 407Nm of torque.

That's the same as the previous generation, although competition examples were often 'chipped' to raise the output even more. But the new engine and turbo have also been reworked to produce much quicker 'in gear' acceleration (for overtakes and between corners), typically in the 2,000 to 4,000rpm bracket.

There's also the tSI-Drive system, which sets the car's responses to one of three modes, from best fuel efficiency to 'Sport Sharp' where the engine's full potential is unleashed.

The WRX disappeared from the British scene a few years ago, largely because of exchange rates between the pound and the Japanese Yen during the recession.

Now it's back, still with the trademark bonnet air scoop and big rear wing, but in many ways significantly different.

The starting point is all-new architecture built using a much higher percentage of high tensile steel, with reinforcements at strategic points, so that it's an amazing 140 per cent stiffer than its predecessor. That benefits suspension and steering response, while also making the car stronger in the event of an accident.

There's a new hydraulic steering system, too, with more driver 'feel' and it's high geared for a sharp and very precise turn -in to corners. With the new short-throw, six speed gearbox it does feel like being in the driving seat of a racing car if it weren't for the fact that you're in superb sports seats, finished in alcantara with leather side bolsters, with dual zone climate control and an upmarket stereo system.

The Subaru's all surface cornering ability is due in no small part to its sophisticated all wheel drive system. which has a highly technical centre differential. The default position is a straight 50/50 power distribution between front and rear wheels, but if either start to slip a higher percentage torque is transferred to those with more grip. There's also a torque vectoring system, reducing power to outside wheels under hard cornering to the reduce the risk of over or under steer.

This system also has a three mode setting, for slippery conditions through to allowing more power to the rear wheels, for greater agility. Multi-mode vehicle dynamic control and traction systems are standard equipment.

Over poorer surfaces, you are still aware that the WRX is a high performance car, but it's new suspension system has been tuned and damped to provide a more supple, civilised ride without sacrificing dynamic ability. The car also gets more stopping power with larger, 17-inch ventilated disc brakes all round, with a braking system from Brembo.

In redesigning the WRX, Subaru not only created more cabin space front and rear but also moved the A-pillars and lowered the dash, to give the driver a wider field of vision.

The cabin is now a little wider, with room for five adults, a 460-litre boot and lots of storage spaces. The driver gets clear instruments and with a full colour information screen between the speedo and rev counter. Positioned centre top on the dashboard is another colour display screen, unique to the WRX. For the sporting driver or competitor, you can monitor such things as boost pressure or the AWD system, as well as more mundane things such as the time.

It's a sporting saloon in every sense of the word, better equipped and more comfortable while undercutting rivals.

As with any such car, it isn't bargain basement when it comes to running costs. The official fuel average is 27.2mpg with a CO2 rating of 242g/km.

It is grown and matured, no longer the boy racer's car (an insurance rating of 40E would see to that) it's now more of a value for money executive express for the real enthusiast. But don't be surprised if quite a few turn up in rallies and competitions, too.