THE LEGEND surrounding Subaru’s Impreza WRX STI 22B is so big it’s easy to forget the brand made anything else as great. But the 2007 Impreza WRX STI Spec C RA-R stressed its importance almost in the length of its name alone.

While RA-R stood for ‘Record Attempt – Radical’, Subaru created its ultimate track car without the headline-grabbing Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time that now feels customary.

This model began with an STI Spec C (which stood for ‘Competition’) that already came with lighter glass, a thinner roof, a water-spray system for the intercooler, no sound deadening and a hatch in the roof for when the air conditioning was off. The radio was ditched as well.

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The RA-R then used the Japanese-market’s special STI-tuned 2.0-litre EJ20 turbocharged boxer engine, fitted with a ball-bearing twin-scroll IHI turbo that helped it deliver 235kW at 6400rpm and 431Nm at 4400rpm. A new ECU set the redline at 8000rpm, and it howled through a titanium exhaust. You also shifted through the six-speed manual transmission with a unique gear knob.

Thanks to a relatively light 1390kg kerb weight, which was 105kg lighter than the 2.5-litre Australian WRX STI of the time, acceleration was reportedly rapid, but what the all-paw RA-R craved were roads more winding.

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Its suspension was 15mm lower than the already capable Spec C’s and fitted with every STI option available, including multiple braces and pillow-ball links. Its dampers and springs were upgraded too, while the front brakes were full-blown six-piston Brembos that clamped two-piece grooved discs. Bridgestone supplied 235mm-wide RE070 rubber that wrapped around 18-inch Enkei wheels.

Pink detailing around the centre grille and a special front lip helped identify the model, but unfortunately few were treated that chance. Subaru made 300 only for the Japanese market, in yellow, blue and white.

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2007 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI SPEC C RA-R SPECS Engine: 2.0-litre boxer-4, DOHC, 16v, turbo Power: 235kW @ 6400rpm Torque: 431Nm @ 4400rpm 0-100km/h: 4.9sec (est) Price: AUD$80,000 (est)