The Subaru brand is almost synonymous with rallying – and for good reason. The sport has helped it evolve into a performance brand that is a match for many of its European rivals. In turn, that popularity on the road has helped evolve the rallying myth and a succession of star drivers, including Carlos Sainz, Colin McRae, Richard Burns, and now Petter Solberg further honed the legend.
Prodrive started the ball rolling in 1990 with the Legacy, before switching to the more rally-friendly Impreza in 1993. Richard Burns moved to SWRT to join new signing Juha Kankkunen and and took home the driver’s title in 2001. Subaru kept setting the pace in 2002 as Petter Solberg emerged as a title contender, while Tommi Makinen provided solid back-up once more.
The young Norwegian scorched his way to four wins and the drivers’ crown in 2003, while Makinen continued to prove his class as a solid foil in the second car in his final year before his retirement. Citroen had pipped Subaru to the manufacturers’ crown, however, and despite Solberg winning five rallies in 2004, the French marque and rising star Sebastien Loeb proved to be too much and denied SWRT the chance to take either title.
So much success in recent years, however, left the team eager to make up for that in 2005. Although Solberg tried his best and won three more rallies, Subaru was once again disappointed by the world-beating efforts of Loeb and Citroen.
Subaru’s unfortunate luck continued in 2006, with Petter Solberg claiming only four podium positions. Solberg ran the entire season without a rally victory, and the team finished the manufacturer’s hunt third overall. Despite the disappointing season, Subaru pushes on with the hopes of turning their recent performances around and reclaiming their championship ways.
2007 Subaru Impreza WRC Technical Specifications
Engine: Flat 4-cylinder, 16 valve, turbocharged
Capacity: 1997cc
Bore: 92.0mm
Stroke: 75.0mm
Engine management: Subaru programmable electronic engine management system
Power: 300bhp @ 5500rpm
Torque: 60kg-m @ 4000rpm
Exhaust system: Inconnel with Subaru anti-lag system. Fitted with catalytic converters
Turbocharger: IHI – with WRC regulation 34mm restrictor
Fuel tank: 80 litres
Electro-hydraulically controlled centre differential
Mechanical front and rear differentials
Drive system: Four-wheel drive
Suspension Front: MacPherson strut
Suspension Rear: MacPherson strut with longitudinal and transverse link
Brakes: AP Racing, 305mm ventilated discs and four-pot calipers front and rear. For asphalt use, front brakes are 366mm ventilated discs with six-pot calipers
Steering: Power assisted rack and pinion
Dimensions:
Overall length: 4465mm
Overall width: 1800mm
Overall height: 1390mm
Wheelbase: 2540mm
Car weight: 1230kgs (WRC regulation min.)
You can download Issue #2 of Handbrakes & Hairpins.