If there's one test vehicle experience where I've been truly sad to hand back the keys to the fleet manager, it's my time spent with the Subaru Impreza WRX sedan.

Granted, I've never found the Subaru particularly sweet on the eye. Nonetheless, they have good curves and lines and bits in the right places.

What does really draw the focus of the crowds is the wide air scoop on the bonnet and the constant growl from the exhaust. My wife described it as "the sound a tiger makes just before he bites your leg off". Nice one, love.

One plus is that the scoop and rear wing have been more thoughtfully and carefully integrated into the body. In short: they don't stick out like cheap after-market, add on parts.

It's got it where it counts

That scoop is no cosmetic boasting tool either. It channels the huge gulps of air needed for the turbocharger's intercooler, which feeds the 2.5-litre boxer engine.

Reports say that the 2008 model was knocked for being a bit too soft under the bonnet, and so Subaru stepped up the power this year. The four-cylinder engine develops 196kW at 5600rpm and 343Nm of torque, channeled through the all-wheel drive system that is one of the glorious wonders of the Impreza WRX.

The top speed of the 2.5-litre is a claimed 233km/h, but I'm willing to contest that it will go much faster than that. As to how I know that; the less said, the better.

The entire running gear and engine and stability management control behind it are one of those unique - and rare – occasions where the passion of design meets perfect engineering.

Overjoyed

You'll have to forgive me (or grin and bear it) as I yammer like a giddy schoolboy about the Subaru. It's like nothing I have ever experienced and worked its way under my skin the more I drove it.

I was assured the power, traction and handling would be there when I needed it. It's a matter of asking and having a precise and rapid response.

The revs build quickly, along with the speed and the resounding orchestra from the exhaust. One of my passengers said they thought the constant "droning" could be a bit annoying on long trips. I had visions of pushing him out the door while at speed for uttering such blasphemy, but then thought the better of it.

That rumbling engine and exhaust is the Impreza's manner of speech. It's an audible indicator of when you should change gear, when you have more power at hand and when you're pushing the limits of what you can handle as a driver.

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