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If ever there was any doubt concerning the giant-killing capability of Subaru’s Impreza, well, these have now been well dispelled thanks to a stunning display at the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power.
Similar to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Cholmondeley event saw an awesome 1 200 cars on static display (thrilling attendees), whilst 175 cars took to the narrow straw-bale lined "circuit" to complete a combined total of 2 500 laps.
Also attending Cholmondeley was former British rally champion Mark Higgings.
Having recently bested the production car record for a lap of the notorious Island of Man TT circuit – including a practice run that saw Higgings execute one of the greatest examples of car control ever recorded on camera – the British rally ace was in high spririts, especially as he got to wheel a limited-edition Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 to the event.
TRICK COSSIE BITS
Powering up to 290kW, the Cosworth Impreza is not your average hot hatchback. Standard STI pistons and conrods are replaced by items of Cosworth’s own design, forged on-site in the renowned racing brand’s Northampton factory. After regrinding the bores, adding enlarged manifolds and downpipes (to reduce back pressure) the CS400 engine is equal to Cosworth’s exacting standards.
A new ECU units harmonises the entire conversion, which is boosted by a hybrid Garrett turbocharger (a Garrett centre unit surrounded by a jumble of other parts) to produce 290kW and 540Nm.
Courtesy of the CS400’s fabled Subaru all-wheel drive traction security, the Cosworth-badged car is claimed to be good for a 0-100km/h benchmark sprint of only 3.7 seconds, which sets it comfortably against supercars such as the Lamborghini Gallardo and Porsche 911 Turbo.
Keeping tabs on the epic acceleration is a 10mm wider rear track (to aid stability) and 10mm ride height reduction (courtesy of Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers) to enhance agility. Slowing down the CS400’s kinetics are AP Racing rotors measuring 355mm in diameter and actuated by six-pot callipers, boasting a unique groove pattern.
Combine the Impreza CS400’s mechanical upgrades with a driving talent like Higgings and all other Cholmondeley attendees were always going to be competing for second- and third place.
Subsequently the Subaru outpaced a host of supercars including Nissan’s GTR, Ariel’s V8 Atom, the Lexus LFA and Ford Focus RS500. In fact, Lamborghini LP570-4 Performante managed to set a faster time from start to finish on the 1.93km circuit.
PEERLESS IN THE WET
On the final day of the Cholmondeley event (Sunday 17 July) the circuit was consistently soaked with rain, allowing the Cossie Subaru to really come into its own - comfortably outpacing every other participating vehicle. With a quickest time of 68.18 seconds, it was over four seconds quicker than the second placed Lancia Delta Intergrale WRC and six seconds quicker than the second placed car in the supercar category.
Higgins' high-speed run dramatically showcased the all-conditions attributes of the Cosworth-fettled Subaru, establishing it as the fastest hot-hatch in the 'supercar' class. Mark recorded a best time of 66.08 seconds, at an average speed of 105.45km/h on the twisty Cholmondeley circuit.
"The Pageant’s track is incredibly narrow and asks a surprising amount of both car and driver," commented Higgins. "If you want to set a decent time, good traction, strong brakes and stability at speed are all essential. The Subaru delivered on all those scores. We were only bettered by a Lamborghini LP570-4 Performante in the dry runs and we were the quickest by far in the wet."
If you desire the best high-performance hatchback, the Cosworth nameplate on a Subaru fifth-door is your best option. For a reminder how good Higgings is at applying opposite lock (and winding it off) in an all-wheel drive car at speed, check out the video below…
Similar to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Cholmondeley event saw an awesome 1 200 cars on static display (thrilling attendees), whilst 175 cars took to the narrow straw-bale lined "circuit" to complete a combined total of 2 500 laps.
Also attending Cholmondeley was former British rally champion Mark Higgings.
Having recently bested the production car record for a lap of the notorious Island of Man TT circuit – including a practice run that saw Higgings execute one of the greatest examples of car control ever recorded on camera – the British rally ace was in high spririts, especially as he got to wheel a limited-edition Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 to the event.
TRICK COSSIE BITS
Powering up to 290kW, the Cosworth Impreza is not your average hot hatchback. Standard STI pistons and conrods are replaced by items of Cosworth’s own design, forged on-site in the renowned racing brand’s Northampton factory. After regrinding the bores, adding enlarged manifolds and downpipes (to reduce back pressure) the CS400 engine is equal to Cosworth’s exacting standards.
A new ECU units harmonises the entire conversion, which is boosted by a hybrid Garrett turbocharger (a Garrett centre unit surrounded by a jumble of other parts) to produce 290kW and 540Nm.
Courtesy of the CS400’s fabled Subaru all-wheel drive traction security, the Cosworth-badged car is claimed to be good for a 0-100km/h benchmark sprint of only 3.7 seconds, which sets it comfortably against supercars such as the Lamborghini Gallardo and Porsche 911 Turbo.
Keeping tabs on the epic acceleration is a 10mm wider rear track (to aid stability) and 10mm ride height reduction (courtesy of Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers) to enhance agility. Slowing down the CS400’s kinetics are AP Racing rotors measuring 355mm in diameter and actuated by six-pot callipers, boasting a unique groove pattern.
Combine the Impreza CS400’s mechanical upgrades with a driving talent like Higgings and all other Cholmondeley attendees were always going to be competing for second- and third place.
Subsequently the Subaru outpaced a host of supercars including Nissan’s GTR, Ariel’s V8 Atom, the Lexus LFA and Ford Focus RS500. In fact, Lamborghini LP570-4 Performante managed to set a faster time from start to finish on the 1.93km circuit.
PEERLESS IN THE WET
On the final day of the Cholmondeley event (Sunday 17 July) the circuit was consistently soaked with rain, allowing the Cossie Subaru to really come into its own - comfortably outpacing every other participating vehicle. With a quickest time of 68.18 seconds, it was over four seconds quicker than the second placed Lancia Delta Intergrale WRC and six seconds quicker than the second placed car in the supercar category.
Higgins' high-speed run dramatically showcased the all-conditions attributes of the Cosworth-fettled Subaru, establishing it as the fastest hot-hatch in the 'supercar' class. Mark recorded a best time of 66.08 seconds, at an average speed of 105.45km/h on the twisty Cholmondeley circuit.
"The Pageant’s track is incredibly narrow and asks a surprising amount of both car and driver," commented Higgins. "If you want to set a decent time, good traction, strong brakes and stability at speed are all essential. The Subaru delivered on all those scores. We were only bettered by a Lamborghini LP570-4 Performante in the dry runs and we were the quickest by far in the wet."
If you desire the best high-performance hatchback, the Cosworth nameplate on a Subaru fifth-door is your best option. For a reminder how good Higgings is at applying opposite lock (and winding it off) in an all-wheel drive car at speed, check out the video below…
