Originally introduced in 1992 in Japan, then shortly afterwards in Australia and Europe, the WRX had a turbocharged flat-4 2.0L (then later a 2.5L) engine. Compared to the base Impreza, the WRX has wider low-profile tires, larger brakes, and firmer, higher quality suspension components.

The WRX debuts in November 1992 with 240ps(177kW) @ 6000rpm
with 31kg*m(304N*m) @ 5000 rpm. It comes with 15 inch wheels. Both front and rear brake rotors are ventilated disks. The vehicle has a curb weight of 1220kg. The center differential is a viscous coupling type. The rear LSD is a viscous type. The WRX Type RA (marketing has made usage of the RA acronym in various ways; Record Attempt[1] is the current usage. "R = Racing, A = Group A, the FIA racing class the WRC Impreza competes in" has also been confirmed by Subaru of Japan; the correspondence can be seen on the discussion board for this article) is a stripped down version of the WRX for people to purchase for motorsports. It does not have many "creature comforts" such as air-conditioning or a radio. The car also lacks anti-lock brakes. The WRX Type RA has the same mechanical specifications as the WRX except it had a weight reduction to 1170kg. The WRX Type RA steering wheel is a 3 spoke leather-wrapped wheel from Nardi.