POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Octane|250 - April 2024
Two legends of the rally stage also make for democratically enjoyable road cars: the Subaru Impreza Turbo and Mistubishi Lancer Evo
Matthew Hayward
POWER TO THE PEOPLE

If you, like me, watched the World Rally Championship during the 1990s, there are few sights more rousing in your rear-view mirror than a stickered-up Mitsubishi Evo Tommi Mäkinen Edition at maximum attack. Especially when it's framed by the blue wing (and underpinned by the flat-four thrum) of a Subaru Impreza. They're both undisputable legends, and experiencing either would be enough of an event today. Getting both together on the same stretch - with the hungry soundtrack of turbos spooling - feels like a jump back in time to a generation-defining moment in automotive history.

Throughout the late 1980s, 200bhp was the sign of a serious high-performance car. The final roadgoing evolutions of Group A motorsport-derived legends such as the Lancia Delta HF Integrale, Ford Sierra RS Cosworth and BMW's E30 M3 all peaked just above that magic figure. As the 1980s evolved into the 1990s, more mainstream cars were regularly topping 200bhp, and the goalposts for what constituted a genuinely fast car shifted towards the 250bhp mark.

While this barrier had been surpassed by more exotic machinery, a new breed of affordable, giant-slaying Japanese rally weapons was on the horizon. Not only were they unspeakably quick, they were easy to drive and genuinely affordable. Subaru's Impreza officially came to the UK in 1994, and changed the face of performance cars forever. This compact saloon did everything an Integrale could - both on and off a rally stage while offering Japanese reliability and build quality. More importantly, it did it at a price that the Europeans couldn't match.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 250 - April 2024-Ausgabe von Octane.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 250 - April 2024-Ausgabe von Octane.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS OCTANEAlle anzeigen
Will China Change Everything? - China is tearing up modern motor manufacture but is yet to make more than a ripple in the classic car world. That could be about to change dramatically
Octane

Will China Change Everything? - China is tearing up modern motor manufacture but is yet to make more than a ripple in the classic car world. That could be about to change dramatically

China now dominates the automotive world in a way even Detroit in its heyday would have struggled to comprehend.Helped by Government incentives, the new car world is dominated by China's industries: whether full cars that undercut Western models by huge amounts, ownership of storied European brands such as Lotus and Volvo, or ownership and access to the vast majority of raw materials that go into EV cars, its influence is far-reaching and deep. However, this automotive enlightenment hasn't manifested itself in the classic world in any meaningful way - until now.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
September 2024
Jem Marsh
Octane

Jem Marsh

The hard-bitten Marcos boss was driven like few others and never knew when he was beaten. Thankfully

time-read
3 Minuten  |
October 2024
Vandamm House
Octane

Vandamm House

A Mid-Century Modernist masterpiece that was immortalised on celluloid - despite never actually existing

time-read
3 Minuten  |
October 2024
Making light
Octane

Making light

Alfa Romeo's post-war renaissance began with the 1900 saloon - and matured with Zagato's featherweight coupé version, as Jay Harvey discovers

time-read
7 Minuten  |
October 2024
FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE
Octane

FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE

Is burgeoning classic car interest in the Middle East good for the global classic market? Nathan Chadwick investigates

time-read
5 Minuten  |
October 2024
Before the beginning
Octane

Before the beginning

This rare Amazon Green pre-production Range Rover is Velar chassis number 4. James Elliott charts its historically revealing factory restoration

time-read
9 Minuten  |
October 2024
Ben Cussons
Octane

Ben Cussons

As the outgoing chairman of the Royal Automobile Club hands on to his successor, Robert Coucher quizzes him about the evolution of this great British institution

time-read
7 Minuten  |
October 2024
BULLDOG & THE PUPPIES
Octane

BULLDOG & THE PUPPIES

We gather five motoring masterpieces by avant-garde designer William Towns - and drive all of them

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
October 2024
Below the tip of the Audrain iceberg
Octane

Below the tip of the Audrain iceberg

As the Audrain organisation grows, we take a look behind the scenes at the huge car collection that feeds it

time-read
5 Minuten  |
October 2024
Flying the Scottish flag
Octane

Flying the Scottish flag

Young Ecurie Ecosse driver Chloe Grant gets to grips with the Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-type at Goodwood. Matthew Hayward is Octane's witness

time-read
7 Minuten  |
October 2024