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PILOTED by legends such as rally champions Richard Burn and Colin McRae in signature blue livery, the Subaru Impreza WRX was adored by legions of fanboys the world over. Unfortunately, the two great drivers are no longer with us and Subaru has retired from top-level rallying.

But that hasn't stopped the Japanese carmaker from launching an all-new WRX and WRX STI. The Impreza moniker has been dropped as Subaru seeks to distance the WRX from the run-of-the-mill Impreza.

The front end of the new car sports an uncanny similarity to its arch rival back then - the now-defunct Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution - but overall, the shape is much improved and has hints of the Legacy in its DNA. Available only in sedan (four-door) form, the WRX and WRX STI share the exact same chassis, whereas in the past, the STI version usually benefited from a "flared arches" bodyshell to set it apart.