When the latest Subaru Impreza went on sale in hatchback form, some argued the famous model had lost its way.

We’ve just driven the car which Subaru hopes will change their mind. The STi 330S is the most rampant factory-edition Impreza on sale.

Power from the 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine has been increased by 30bhp to a massive 326bhp with help from Impreza tuners Prodrive.

Channelled to the ground by the Impreza’s famous rally-derived four-wheel drive and sticky track day tyres it will launch the super-hatch from 0-60mph in just 4.4 seconds.

Merely squeezing the throttle in second and third gear leaves you in no doubt about its impressive acceleration.

And, despite the huge performance, the 330S proved itself as easy to drive as a family shopping car. It’s only shortcoming as a day-to-day motor is a gearbox which needs a firm shove, hinting at its heavy-duty nature.

Power and torque is metered out gradually and smoothly and it takes a decisive shove of your right foot before the Impreza picks up its side skirts and takes off down the road.

The burble is back

When it does, the burble from the four exhaust pipes has a retro feel. Some of the off-beat acoustics found in classic Imprezas has been recovered by the Prodrive accessories, much to the approval of loyal Subaru fans.

Subaru claims the 330S has a combined fuel consumption of 23.7mpg while emitting 281g/km and it has been place in insurance group 20. Not a car for the faint hearted – this is for buyers seeking a serious performance tool.

New suspension and 18-inch wheels have improved the handling of a car which already went from A to B at a startling speed. It feels softer than hardcore hot hatches like the Civic Type-R Championship White, relying on traction and grip more than suspension stiffness

Supple suspension

On British roads this supple suspension can be a bonus, allowing the 330S to soak up bumps better than many sports cars with similar performance, and use its power more of the time.

It’s also able to impress in adverse weather, where its computer controlled differential can juggle power between all four wheels.

The penalty is the price - at £30,305 the 330S is one expensive hatchback. To justify it the Impreza has to rely on the pull of its segment-busting levels of performance alone, as its cabin and looks are middling at best.

It’s also priced to match its closest rival the Mitsubishi Evolution FQ330 GS which starts at £31,954 – a price point which takes both models into serious competition with prestige cars including the Porsche Boxster and BMW 335i.

Check out this New Car Net video review of the standard Subaru Impreza WRX: