If you've ever heard anyone refer to their Impreza WRX as a "GC8", "GDB", or "GRB", then you've heard it. If you've ever heard people talk about their Nissan 240SX or Silvia as an S13, S14, or S15 then you've heard it. If you've ever heard them refer to their Honda Civic as an "EF" or "EG hatch", then you've heard it. If you've heard BMW 3-series owners saying "E30" or "E92" then you've heard it. They're referring to the first two letters of the applied model code. The Applied Model (also called a Chassis Code) is a 7-digit code number that is used by Subaru to identify a car’s specification, but unlike the Chassis Number or VIN, this does not uniquely identify an individual car. Almost all Subaru cars have the Applied Model stamped on a metal plate that can be found riveted to the top of the near-side strut tower, although some cars have the plate in one of the front door frames.

Location of the Subaru Applied Model plate

The information encoded within the Applied Model number contains details of the vehicle’s model, body type, engine type, gearbox, trim-level and period of production.

Each letter in the applied model designates a code: | Code | Description | | :--- | :---------- | | **series** | Model in the Subaru lineup, e.g. Impreza, Legacy, Forrester | | **body style** | body style describes coupe, sedan, wagon, hatchback | | **engine** | engine type | | **model year** | the production year and month | | **\# of doors** | number of doors | | **trim** | specific equipment package and accessories | | **transmission** | transmission type, e.g. manual or automatic and number of speeds | ## Series Code The **Series** code is the first letter, it tells you which model in the Subaru lineup it belongs to: | Code | Model | | :--- | :---- | | A | Leone/Loyale | B | Legacy | | C | SVX | | G | Impreza, XV, Outback Sport | | F | Domingo | | K | Justy/Rex/Vivio/Sambar (Before 1998) | | N | Trezia | | R | Pleo, R1, R2, Stella | | S | Forester | | T | Sambar (After 1998) | | V | WRX | | W | Tribeca/Ascent | | Y | Exiga | | Z | BRZ | Thus, the Impreza WRX starts with 'G'. ## Body Style code The second letter is the **Body style** code, it'll tell you if the vehicle is a sedan, coupe, wagon, etc. | Code | Body style | | :--- | :--------- | | A, C, E, V | sedan | | M | coupe | | F | 5-door wagon | | H, R | 5-door hatchback | ## Applied Model Code The **Applied model** is the first-two letters combined, it is what people commonly refer to when trying to casually designate their vehicle: | Years | Code | Model | | :---- | :--- | :------------ | | 1992 - 2000 | GC | sedan | | 1992 - 2000 | GM | coupe | | 1992 - 2000 | GF | wagon | | 2001 - 2007 | GD | sedan | | 2001 - 2007 | GG | wagon | | 2007 - 2014 | GH | WRX hatchback | | 2007 - 2014 | GR | WRX STI hatchback | | 2007 - 2014 | GE | WRX sedan | | 2007 - 2014 | GV | WRX STI sedan | | 2015 - 2021 | VA | WRX & WRX STI sedan | ## Engine code The 3rd-letter in the applied model code. For the WRX STI platform, the EJ207 was mostly commonly used in Japan, while the US got the EJ257. | Code | Description | | :--- | :---------- | | 8, B | EJ207 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) Turbo is a IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA) | | A | EJ205 2.0ℓ turbo WRX in all 1999-2005 models | | 6, F | EJ257 - 2.5ℓ turbo in USDM WRX STi IHI VF48 | ## Model Year The 4th letter in the code, the model year is the date of production, often times these start the year prior to the marketed year. This is because production of a vehicle starts early, and sales follow. A is the first year of the generation, B the second, etc. When the model changes generation, (e.g. Mean Eye to Bugeye), this letter is reset back to 'A'. * A "Mean Eye" GC8 first year has a A, thus GC8**A**, which is 1992. * A "Mean Eye" GC8 second year has a B, thus GC8**B**, which is 1993, etc. * A "Bug Eye" GDB second year has a A, thus GDB**A**, which is 2000. * A "Bug Eye" GDB second year has a B, thus GDB**B**, which is 2001, etc. ## Number of Doors The 5th letter is the number of doors on the vehicle. Simply put, the coupe has a code of 2, sedan 4, and wagon & hatch 5. ## Trim Code The 6th-letter is the trim code, which tells you which marketing package, equipment and accessories are included in the vehicle. This list is incomplete, if you know any others, please let us know. | Code | Name | | :--- | :-------- | | 7 | type RA | | 8 | WRX | | D | STI Type R & Type RA | | E | STI | ## Transmission Code The 7th-letter is the transmission code, tells you if its a manual or automatic. | Code | Transmission type | | :--- | :---------------- | | D | 5MT | | 4, P | E-4AT | | H | 6MT | ## Examples In the examples below, I didn't include the number of doors, trim, or transmission codes. Putting this all together, we can see a list of significant applied models:

Code	Years	Description	Engine	Note
GC8A	1992/05 - 1993/08	1st generation WRX STI sedan	EJ20G 3 2.0ℓ turbo WRX in early GC8 models Mitsubishi TD05H	Version 1
GC8B	1993/05 - 1994/09	WRX STi Version sedan	EJ20G 3 2.0ℓ turbo WRX in early GC8 models Mitsubishi TD05H
GC8C	1994/06 - 1996/08	WRX STi Version I or II sedan	EJ20G 3 2.0ℓ turbo WRX in early GC8 models Mitsubishi TD05H
GC8D	1996/04 - 1997/07	WRX STi Version III sedan	EJ20K 2 2.0ℓ turbo in WRX STi Version III & IV models V.III: IHI VF23, V.IV IHI VF24
GC8E	1997/04 - 1998/07	WRX STi Version IV coupe/sedan	EJ20K 2 2.0ℓ turbo in WRX STi Version III & IV models V.III: IHI VF23, V.IV IHI VF24
GC8E2SD*	1998/03 - 1998/08	22B STi Version	EJ22G 1 2.2ℓ turbo 22B STi Version	*Wide bodied, 22B limited edition
GC8F*	1998/04 - 1999/07	WRX STi Version V coupe/sedan	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	*Minor change Introduced the EJ207 engine Introduce the signature large double-wing
GC8G	1999/04 - 2000/07	WRX STi Version VI coupe/sedan	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)
GC8G4DD	1998/01	Impreza WRX Type RA STi Version 6	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	A favorite GC8 sedan, The Type RA was a 4dr race-ready and last best version of the GC8 chassis
GC8G2FD	1999/11 - 2000/08	Impreza WRX STi Type R Version 6 Limited	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	A favorite GC8 coupe, the Type R STi Version 6 Limited
GDAA*	2000/02 - 2001/08	"New Age"/"Bugeye" WRX sedan	EJ205 8 2.0ℓ turbo WRX in all 1999-2005 models	Model change * (First WRX model available in the US)
GDBA	2000/02 - 2001/08	JDM "New Age" "Bugeye" WRX STi sedan	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	Not available in the US
GDAB	2001/06 - 2002/10	"Bugeye" WRX sedan	EJ205 8 2.0ℓ turbo WRX in all 1999-2005 models
GDBB	2001/06 - 2002/10	JDM "Bugeye" WRX STI sedan	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	Not available in the US
GDBB4FH	2002	JDM "Bugeye" WRX STi Type RA Spec C sedan	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	The most raw race-ready form of the Bugeye
GDBB4FH	2002	JDM "Bugeye" WRX STi S202	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	The highest end of the Bugeyes, in Yellow
GDAC*	2002/09 - 2003/07	"Blob Eye" WRX sedan	EJ205 8 2.0ℓ turbo WRX in all 1999-2005 models	* (Minor change: introduces the Blob Eye)
GDBC	2002/09 - 2003/07	JDM "Blob Eye" WRX STI sedan	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	Not available in the US
GD6C*	2002/09 - 2003/07	USDM "Blob Eye" WRX STI sedan	EJ257 14 2.5ℓ turbo in USDM WRX STi IHI VF48	* (First WRX STi Version available in the US)
GDAD	2003/06 - 2004/05	"Blob Eye" WRX sedan	EJ205 8 2.0ℓ turbo WRX in all 1999-2005 models
GDBD	2003/06 - 2004/05	JDM "Blob Eye" WRX STI sedan	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	Not available in the US
GD6D	2003/06 - 2004/05	USDM "Blob Eye" WRX STI sedan	EJ257 14 2.5ℓ turbo in USDM WRX STi IHI VF48
GDAE	2004/04 - 2005/05	"Blob Eye" WRX sedan	EJ205 8 2.0ℓ turbo WRX in all 1999-2005 models
GDBE*	2004/04 - 2005/05	"Blob Eye" WRX STI sedan	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	Not available in the US * (Switched to the 5x114.3 PCD, small rear over-fenders) * This is the best Blob Eye, IMHO
GDBE4FH	2004 - 2005	"Blob Eye" WRX STi Version Spec C	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	Not available in the US * This is the latest Spec C version of the blob eye
GDBE4FH	2004 - 2005	"Blob Eye" WRX STi Version Spec C Type RA	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	Not available in the US * This is the latest Spec C Type RA version of the blob eye
GDBE4EH	2005	"Blob Eye" WRX STi S203	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	The famed S203
GD6E*	2004/04 - 2005/05	"Blob Eye" WRX STI sedan	EJ257 14 2.5ℓ turbo in USDM WRX STi IHI VF48	* (Switched to the 5x114.3 PCD, small rear over-fenders) * This is the best blob-eye to get in the States
GDAF*	2005/04 - 2006/06	"Hawk Eye" WRX sedan	EJ205 8 2.0ℓ turbo WRX in all 1999-2005 models	* (Minor change)
GDBF	2005/04 - 2006/06	"Hawk Eye" WRX STI sedan	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	Not available in the US
GD6F*	2005/04 - 2006/06	"Hawk Eye" WRX STI sedan	EJ257 14 2.5ℓ turbo in USDM WRX STi IHI VF48
GDAG	2006/04 - 2007/04	"Hawk Eye" WRX sedan	EJ205 8 2.0ℓ turbo WRX in all 1999-2005 models
GDBG	2006/04 - 2007/04	JDM "Hawk Eye" WRX STI sedan	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)
GD6G	2006/04 - 2007/04	USDM "Hawk Eye" WRX STI sedan	EJ257 14 2.5ℓ turbo in USDM WRX STi IHI VF48
GDBG4LH	2007	JDM "Hawk Eye" WRX STi Spec C RA-R	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	The famed final best version of the Hawk Eye Not available in the US
GH8A	2007/03 - 2014/04	(JDM "S-GT") (USDM "WRX") hatchback	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	* (Model change: introduces the "Stink Eye" Impreza)
GRBA*	2007/ 03 - 2008/ 06	JDM WRX STI hatchback	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	* (Model change: introduces the "Stink Eye" WRX)
GRFA	2007/ 03 - 2008/ 06	USDM WRX STI hatchback	EJ257 14 2.5ℓ turbo in USDM WRX STi IHI VF48
GRBB	2008/07 - 2009/06	JDM WRX STI hatchback	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)
GHB	2008/ 07 - 2009/ 06	(JDM "S-GT") (USDM "WRX") hatchback	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)
GRFB	2008/07 - 2009/06	USDM WRX STI hatchback	EJ257 14 2.5ℓ turbo in USDM WRX STi IHI VF48
GE	2008+	WRX Sedan sedan	?
GRBC*	2009/07 - 2010/03	JDM WRX STI hatchback	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	Minor change
GRFC*	2009/07 - 2010/03	USDM WRX STI hatchback	EJ257 14 2.5ℓ turbo in USDM WRX STi IHI VF48	Minor change
GVBC	2009/07 - 2010/03	JDM WRX STI sedan	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)	Re-introduces the WRX STI sedan model
GVFC	2009/07 - 2010/03	USDM WRX STI sedan	EJ257 14 2.5ℓ turbo in USDM WRX STi IHI VF48	Re-introduces the WRX STI sedan model
GRBD	2010/04 - 2013/06	JDM WRX STI hatchback	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)
GRFD	2010/04 - 2013/06	USDM WRX STI hatchback	EJ257 14 2.5ℓ turbo in USDM WRX STi IHI VF48
GVBD	2010/04 - 2013/06	JDM WRX STI sedan	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)
GVFD	2010/04 - 2013/06	USDM WRX STI sedan	EJ257 14 2.5ℓ turbo in USDM WRX STi IHI VF48
GRBE	2013/06 - 2014/04	JDM WRX STI hatchback	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)
GRFE	2013/06 - 2014/04	USDM WRX STI hatchback	EJ257 14 2.5ℓ turbo in USDM WRX STi IHI VF48
GVBE	2013/06 - 2014/04	JDM WRX STI sedan	EJ207 28 2.0ℓ turbo WRX STi in all late WRX STi models (GC8, GDB) IHI VF28 or IHI VF29 (STi V.6 Type R & Type RA)
GVFE	2013/06 - 2014/04	USDM WRX STI sedan	EJ257 14 2.5ℓ turbo in USDM WRX STi IHI VF48
VA	2015 - 2021	WRX STI sedan (Subaru dropped the "Impreza" name)	FA20D, EJ207, EJ257	Model change. "Evo Eye" WRX Drops the hatchback Drops the "Impreza" name WRX Moves to the FA20D engine (EJ207 & EJ257 continues in STI)

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impreza wrx

Decoding Subaru Impreza WRX and STI Applied Model Codes