Subaru's WRX version of its new hatchback style Impreza will be priced over £1,000 less than the previous model.

The 228bhp Impreza WRX 2.5 will go on sale in November priced at £19,995 on-the-road.

The new performance version of the Impreza was not originally planned to go on sale in Europe.

However, Subaru said a limited number of models would be prior to the range-topping WRX STI going on sale in spring 2008.

The new WRX – which reaches 60mph in 6.1 seconds – adds 17 ins alloy wheels, front and rear spoilers, side skirts, a rear bumper diffuser, leather-covered steering-wheel and gear-knob, a rear limited-slip-differential with Subaru vehicle dynamics control, 10-speaker, six-disc radio/CD player and xenon headlamps to standard equipment.

All Imprezas have all-wheel drive, alloy wheels, climate-control air-conditioning, radio/CD player, height and reach steering-wheel adjustment, foglamps, front and rear electric windows, driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags plus vehicle information display.