Make no mistake about it, the Subaru Impreza RB320 is one serious piece of kit.

Built as a tribute to 2001 World Rally Champion Richard Burns – who died from a brain tumour aged 32 – it is a monumental masterpiece of engineering – seriously.

Allow me to put it into context. Porsche 911 Carrera, 0–60mph in 5.0 seconds. Subaru Impreza RB320, 0–60mph in 4.8 seconds. At £29,995 it is less than half the price of said Porsche. That is, if you ordered an RB320 from a dealer.

Only 320 of these cars were made and they have all been snapped up but don't despair. A fair old few have been netted by shrewd independent dealers who are selling them on – with a few extra thousand slapped on the price tag.

But it's worth it. Don't try to hunt down 1/320 – Richard Burns' dad Alex has it – but if you can get your hands on one of the others then you will be acquiring the rarity in the motoring world that is an instant classic.

And this is why. Every time you get behind the wheel of this limited edition Impreza, you feel as if you're the hero that was Richard Burns.

If you're not a car enthusiast you won't get this, but, that car gave me goosebumps.

And not just me either. During the course of a week I had eight people approach me for a blast in the RB320 and trust me, they'll remember their ride for the rest of their lives.

It will probably be the fastest car they will ever ride in. It will be written into the folklore of my village. I don't doubt it for a second.

All this is because it's 2.5-litre boxer engine thumps out 320bhp through four wheels, each shod with sticky soft-compound tyres. The result is breathtaking.

Perhaps most significantly, the turbo-charged power is delivered by 450Nm of torque – that's executive diesel territory.

Never mind the 0–60mph time, this car will virtually hit 100mph in just two gear changes and 12.2 seconds. A few seconds later you'll hit the top speed of 158mph.

Along the way your listeners will be treated to a cocophony of 'boxer barking' – the sweet and distinctive burble which tells every enthusist there's a flat-four on the prowl.

Like Mr Vader, the RB320 comes clad in black and just black – from the paintwork to the bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels and it looks the mutt's proverbials.

Lurking behind those alloys are four things that could save your bacon – the gloriously gargantuan gold Brembo brake callipers which complement the subtle RB320 badging.

But is this overtly macho beast all mouth and no trousers? Not a bit of it. Thanks to £6,000 of extras – for just £3,500 – this car is perhaps more desirable than the 22B, the P1, the RB5 and the s202, all of which are very desirable Imprezas.

To make the car more edgy, Subaru handed their baby over to Prodrive who duly fitted their 320PS Performance Pack.

In that are Bilstein dampers and Eibach sports spring kit which sit the car 30mm lower at the front and 10mm at the rear giving it a real track-car feel.

But, I also drove the STi a few weeks ago and the improved suspension improves the on-road experience too, ironing out some of the bone-rattling jolts that can make sporty numbers difficult to live with.

To add to the racing driver feel, Subaru have fitted the RB320 with a quickshift gearbox. This is a real masterstroke because as you're frantically punching through the gears at full throttle it helps to ensure you never miss a cog.

Inside you get Clarion's audio/satnav pack which isn't exactly the easiest to use in the world – but you'll revel in getting lost after all, you get more miles under your belt that way.

You also get Clarion's iPod adapter, a Bluetooth phone kit, embroidered seats, mats and door trims, tinted windows, Cat-1 alarm and immobiliser and more.

I may never get to drive an RB320 ever again, but it doesn't matter. It has changed the way I think about cars.

And you know what, I think Richard Burns would be proud of the fact this piece of automotive art was created in his name.

by James Mitchinson