Time really goes by so fast. It's hard to believe that the Subaru Impreza WRX STi is turning 30 this year, and there's a fifth-generation model coming to continue the legacy of this storied nameplate. With a powerful turbocharged boxer engine and permanent all-wheel-drive, the formidable performance machine is one of the most popular weapons of choice for JDM enthusiasts.

The performance sedan we see today has seen many changes, together with hundreds of special-edition models built over its model run. Quite simply, the modern WRX STi is a far departure from the very first model introduced in 1992. But as they say, the more things change, the more they remain the same. It's no longer the rally-bred homologation model it used to be, but the car still retains all the ingredients that made it an all-time great. That being said, let's take a look at the evolution of the Subaru Impreza WRX STi throughout the years.

10 GC8B: The First WRX STi

The current WRX STi is built as a dedicated standalone model, but the first one started differently. Subaru only took standard Imprezas at the end of the assembly line and fitted them with STi parts back in 1994, and was simply called "WRX STi Version". This version produced 247 hp, and only 100 cars per month came out.

Later on, a road-legal version of the Impreza 555 rally car was available as the STi model. It featured forged internals, better flowing intercoolers and the Driver Controlled Center Differential or the DCCD, which became a staple for all future generations of the WRX STi.

RELATED: 10 Things We Love About The Subaru WRX STI

9 Impreza Turbo 2000

It didn't take long for the Impreza to achieve success in rallying. In 1995, Subaru won in the WRC with Colin McRae behind the wheel. To commemorate the success, Subaru in the UK released 200 examples of the "Series McRae" Impreza Turbo 2000 which were prepared by Prodrive.

Power was increased to 271 hp for the 1996-year model, and STi examples now had the signature gold wheels like the rally version. Furthermore, the STi versions of the Impreza were now built alongside the WRX.

RELATED: These Are The Most Successful WRC Cars Ever

8 22B STi

Subaru was on a roll in the WRC towards the late 90s, as they've won three straight constructors' championships. Similar to McRae's success, the Japanese carmaker launched another special model called the 22B STi, and it's perhaps the ultimate first-generation Impreza model there is, both in performance, and its staggering price nowadays.

It's the only road-going Impreza WRX STi to ever come with the WRC-spec wide fenders, while the 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine was bumped up to 2.2 liters. Official power figures stayed at 276 hp following Japan's Gentleman Agreement, but like many other cars, the 22B STi seems to have its power figures significantly underreported.

RELATED: Looking Back At The Subaru Impreza 22B STi

7 GDB/A: The Bug Eye

The new millennium was ushered in together with a "New Age" Impreza in 2000, as the car grew in size compared to its previous iteration. The first GDB series were called the "Bug Eye" Imprezas that are distinguished by their ovoid headlamps, which drew significant controversy.

This second-generation Impreza WRX STi was also the first one to arrive at American shores in 2004, and utilized the 2.5-liter turbocharged EJ257 engine rather than the EJ20 twin-scroll turbo unit.

6 GDB/C: The Blob Eye

Subaru attempted to rework the front-end design as they got rid of the controversial "Bug Eye" headlamps for a more conventional one. The first attempt was called the "Blob Eye" by Subaru enthusiasts.

Nevertheless, the Blob Eye STi didn't really differ much from the Bug Eye except for a tweaked suspension that improved its handling, and minor interior trim pieces were revised.

5 GDB/F: The Hawk Eye

For the final facelift of the GDB Impreza, Subaru gave it a substantial refresh with a new front fascia that represented the company's new corporate face. Enthusiasts call the 2006 model year Impreza the "Hawk Eye".

The jet-inspired intake and wings were all inspired by Subaru's aircraft manufacturing roots with the Nakajima Aircraft Company. By this time, the EJ20 was exclusively reserved for the Japanese market, as other parts of the world utilized the EJ257 both in the WRX and WRX STi models.

4 Spec C

Produced in limited quantities for, again, the Japanese market, the Subaru Impreza WRX STi Spec C was a homologation model that features slight improvements over standard WRX STis, and was used for racing in P-WRC and in Group N rally.

The Spec C is almost 200 lbs lighter than the standard WRX STi thanks to thinner glass, thinner roof construction, and an aluminum trunk lid.

3 Impreza WRX STi Hatchback

The Subaru Impreza's design was much more refined with the third-generation model, and once again grew in size compared to the previous GDB chassis. This time, the Impreza first came out as a five-door hatchback model in 2007 before the sedan came out a year later.

For the WRX STi models, there's a new Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system in place of the rear limited-slip differential, and the debut of the driver-selectable SI-Drive system which offers different modes such as the Intelligent, Sport, and the Sport Sharp mode that alters the Impreza WRX STi's throttle response.

2 NBR Challenge Package

Hold your breath because this is perhaps the longest name for Subaru's performance sedan. The Subaru Impreza WRX STi S206 NBR Challenge Package is a limited-edition model that commemorates the Japanese carmaker's class win in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

The Japan-only WRX STi's EJ20 engine had its power bumped up from 303 to 315 hp in the S206 NBR Challenge Package, and featured a carbon-fiber roof that lowered the car's center of gravity and gave it a sharper cornering capability.

1 VA Series WRX STi

Here's the outgoing model which will be replaced in 2022. Back in 2014, the fourth-generation performance models moved away from the Impreza name and were simply called the WRX and the WRX STi.

The WRX STi was still powered by the aging EJ257 engine, while the WRX had a brand-new FA series 2.0-liter powerplant with 286 hp. For the incoming fifth-generation model, however, both the WRX and the WRX STi will share the new FA24F engine.