When it comes to cars boasting an extensive array of special editions, there are a few obvious contenders. The Mazda MX-5. The Abarth 500. The Lotus Elise. And of course, the Subaru WRX.
The WRX has been in existence for over 30 years now, serving both as a high-performance variant of the Impreza and as a standalone model. Throughout this period, Subaru has appended various intricate strings of letters and numbers to its name.
The one in focus here, however, might just clinch the title for the longest. Presenting the opportunity to own an exceedingly rare (deep breath) Subaru Impreza WRX STI tS Type RA NBR Challenge. Quite a mouthful.
This car, referred to henceforth as the NBR Challenge for everyone’s convenience, is an even more exclusive variant of an already limited-run version of the base car. It originated as the WRX STI tS Type RA (already a fairly cumbersome name), a special edition of the third-generation Impreza WRX STI.
Unveiled in 2013, this model was exclusively available in the Japanese market, with only 300 units produced. It utilized the basic car’s 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four engine, delivering 302bhp. Naturally, it featured four-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission.
In comparison to the base car, it boasted a quicker steering rack, larger Brembo brakes, and upgraded suspension (although curiously, the ad suggests retrofitting with standard STI suspension). Accelerating from 0-62 took around 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 155mph.
Of the 300 units, 200 were equipped with the NBR Challenge pack, commemorating the Impreza’s class victories at the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2011 and 2012 (explaining the NBR designation).
This pack added chunky Recaro bucket seats, a carbon fibre rear wing, and 18-inch aluminum BBS wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenzas (although this specific example now features Michelin PS5s).
Despite being initially exclusive to Japan, these cars quickly garnered attention for their rarity and performance enhancements. A quick Google search reveals a number of them finding their way to Britain.
The ad for this particular unit claims it to be one of 84 cars, presumably in white – although orange and blue were also options. Freshly imported with only 22,697 miles on the odometer, it has been upgraded with an HKS air filter and Fujitsubo exhaust.
The asking price for this sought-after flat-four rarity, listed on Collecting Cars through a classified ad? £35,995. While it may seem steep for an Impreza, in an era of £60k P1s and six-figure 22Bs, it stands out as a relative bargain for one of the rarest and most focused Imprezas ever built. And hey, it’s only four grand per word in its name.
