THINGS aren't what they used to be as far as the Subaru Impreza is concerned.

The legendary sporting saloon is now a hatchback, something that might have those Scooby purists recoiling in horror.

I actually quite like the fact Subaru has gone down the hatchback route, if only because it looks far less 'in yer face' than those garish saloons with an air intake more suited to a dragster and a spoiler that looks like it might actually help the car take off.

Subaru wised up to the fact some time ago that while the boy racer brigade might crave something outlandish, there were plenty of would-be buyers who preferred something a little more toned down.

It launched a Spec D version of the old saloon (the D standing for discreet).

With the hatch the whole look is discreet enough to pass the Impreza off as a fairly regular hot hatch.

Even the top of the range WRX STi 330S is a world away from those Imprezas of old.

It boasts a pretty mean looking set of exhaust pipes and it still has a spoiler and that air intake but they are very much in proportion.

Don't be fooled though. Under the skin the 330S is a raw and aggressive car that offers more than enough satisfaction for the serious driver.

Around town it feels oddly out of place. The ride is about as firm as it's reasonable to get and this is a car that's designed more for the track than the suburban road network.

Hit a pothole and you certainly know about it and after a lengthy stint behind the wheel you almost need  a chill-out period to recover from the vibrations.

Like many things though, it's surprising just how quickly you get used to it though and after a day or two I hardly noticed - though I did go out of my way to avoid even the smallest pothole.

The shortcomings in comfort are more than compensated for by the sheer exhilaration when it comes to driving the car.

I've often heard people say of vehicles "it's the sort of car you can't help but go fast in" and this is certainly one of those.

To be honest though you don't need to be travelling at ridiculously high speeds to have fun in the 330s.

Every bend, and even roundabouts become a little driving challenge as you exploit its agility and suppleness to maximise the driving experience to the full.

On an open and empty B-road it really comes into its own, offering the kind of drive that will leave you smiling every time.

Its sure-footendess is one of its great strengths, that excellent four-wheel drive system helping you to truly exploit its abilities while also ensuring it is surprisingly forgiving.

Whatever you're doing, it is well within its abilities and if you come unstuck it will be your driving skills rather than the car that let you down.

One of the good things about an Impreza is you can enjoy performance that is getting into supercar territory while still having something that serves as a relatively practical family motor.

There isn't an abundance of space and even though it's a hatch you'll be pushed to get much in the boot.

Subaru excel at engineering and I love the fact you can virtually hear and feel the running gear in this car.