The debut of the new Subaru Impreza in Greece at the weekend was just what the WRC needed. But while its performance was impressive – second place in the hands of Petter Solberg – there’s something very wrong.

And that wrongness is this: it looks dull. Conservative, even, which is exactly what the Impreza isn’t. Or wasn’t. Or shouldn’t be.

The old Impreza’s blue and yellow paint job screamed at you; the yellow has now gone in favour of Subaru’s corporate white. It looked fine in showroom photos, but at speed on the Acropolis stages it looked entirely anonymous. It’s not the livery of a factory Subaru, it’s the livery of a back marker in Formula Renault UK.

Even the shape of the car – which again looked fine in showroom photos – was unremarkable being driven in anger. It could have been a Kia, for all the distinctiveness on show.

I suppose what I’m saying is that what looks good on the road – and the new Impreza will certainly look less idiotic on Britain’s streets – isn’t what looks good on a rally special stage.

But the likes of the Evo and the old Impreza are gone now, and I’ll just have to get used to it. They could still make the new Impreza look a bit more exciting with a splash of colour though – perhaps they should go after sponsorship from Yellow Pages.