Wednesday 21st May 2008

Scooby New

Latest Impreza rally car to debut two months early

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Subaru is to unleash its new Impreza WRC rally car two months early.

The factory-backed WRC debut will be at the Acropolis Rally later on this month, instead of August's Rally Finland, as originally planned.

The 2008 rally car is based on the latest Impreza hatchback and has been undergoing testing since last year.

The reason the car is being launched two months early is down to the fact that it has performed well in early tests and Prodrive is convinced it is ready to go.

The car will be powered by the same flat-four engine and Prodrive is said to have worked hard on weight distribution and a new transmission.

‘We are very excited to be able to launch the all-new Impreza WRC2008 ahead of schedule,’ said David Richards, Subaru World Rally Team principal.

‘It is testament to the dedication and commitment of the team behind the scenes in the UK and at STi in Japan.

‘Just as the latest Impreza road car represents a new era for Subaru so the WRC2008 represents a new era for all of us at the Subaru World Rally Team and I am confident that we will arrive in Greece able to fight competitively.’

[twin sparky]

Rover 200 with a bodykit...

[wab172uk]

As well as a new car, they should review their driver line up too. Atkinson is constantly out driving Solberg.

Solberg should have left for another team 2 years ago.

[daverichmond1]

It may very well be ready 2 months ahead of schedule, its just a shame its so pig ugly...

If I was Solberg I would refuse the new shape car and ask for the new mechanicals to be transplanted into a 2007 style bodyshell!

[scotty_917]

twin sparky said:

Rover 200 with a bodykit...

or focus clone!

[Mr_C]

apart from the awful back lights I think that's quite nice.

[layabout]

Not a good looking car,looks too much like a Seat Leon.The 22B is still the best Scooby in my opinion.

[DrGP]

I hope my future road going WRC STi has that crazy large spolier. I love it, but I am biased towards Scooby's. Yes, it looks like a Focus but it doesnt go like one.

[hostile17]

I honestly don't care how it looks providing it goes fast, finishes rallies and allows a Subaru to win a d*mn race this year.

[Titan Simba]

daverichmond1 said:

It may very well be ready 2 months ahead of schedule, its just a shame its so pig ugly...

If I was Solberg I would refuse the new shape car and ask for the new mechanicals to be transplanted into a 2007 style bodyshell!

On the basis that it's so awful to look at, I'd have to agree. However, I'm curious to see how it'll stack up against the other hatches (Focus, Citroen, etc.) in terms of driving performance.

[robwales]

I really hope this car will help Subaru out of the current rut that they're in, but sadly I don't think it will.
70% of people who did the poll on wrc.com think it will win its first event...
As much as I'd like it to kick Ford and (especially) Citroen's arses, I don't think it will.

[layabout]

DrGP said:

I hope my future road going WRC STi has that crazy large spolier. I love it, but I am biased towards Scooby's. Yes, it looks like a Focus but it doesnt go like one.

I cant see Subaru beating the Ford Focus,take a look at the WRC table.So yes,the Scooby doesn't go like a Focus;)

[stevieb]

I think Prodrive will use the remainder of the year as a development period going into the 2009 WRC.. This will hopefully give them a good chance to challenge for the title in 2009!

[daverichmond1]

layabout said:

Not a good looking car,looks too much like a Seat Leon.The 22B is still the best Scooby in my opinion.

Love the 22B, also a BIG fan of the P1...

The last of the 'good' looking scoobies in my opinion!

[bradmitchell]

3 questions.

1) anyone know when Subaru last won a rally...?
2) why dont Citroen release a st hot C4 to capitalise on all the Rally success, the C4 is a good looking car and they would raise the profile of citroen no end...
3) does anyone else think rallying has lost its edge..?

[layabout]

daverichmond1 said:

layabout said:

Not a good looking car,looks too much like a Seat Leon.The 22B is still the best Scooby in my opinion.

Love the 22B, also a BIG fan of the P1...

The last of the 'good' looking scoobies in my opinion!

Very true,the P1 is a great car & gaining legendary status

[Altrezia]

layabout said:

DrGP said:

I hope my future road going WRC STi has that crazy large spolier. I love it, but I am biased towards Scooby's. Yes, it looks like a Focus but it doesnt go like one.

I cant see Subaru beating the Ford Focus,take a look at the WRC table.So yes,the Scooby doesn't go like a Focus;)

Shame the road-going focus cars are so dull, eh.

I like the look of this scooby

[Ollieb7]

Whats more disapointing is that it will probably rally as it were on rails like the rest of them which is very boring these days. It could look like an allegro as far as i'm concerned so long as it went like a Group B car and cornered like a MK2 Escort!

[layabout]

bradmitchell said:

3 questions.

1) anyone know when Subaru last won a rally...?
2) why dont Citroen release a st hot C4 to capitalise on all the Rally success, the C4 is a good looking car and they would raise the profile of citroen no end...
3) does anyone else think rallying has lost its edge..?

It does appear that rallying has lost some of its edge,some of my best memories of being a child was watching group B.In my opinion the best rally days,with Audi's Pug T16's 6R4's & Integrale's. It is strange that Citroen have never done a C4 road rally rep,i know they would sell very well,if i had to guess,it probably comes down to costs.

[layabout]

Altrezia said:

layabout said:

DrGP said:

I hope my future road going WRC STi has that crazy large spolier. I love it, but I am biased towards Scooby's. Yes, it looks like a Focus but it doesnt go like one.

I cant see Subaru beating the Ford Focus,take a look at the WRC table.So yes,the Scooby doesn't go like a Focus;)

Shame the road-going focus cars are so dull, eh.

I like the look of this scooby

Nothing dull about a road going Focus,i have driven lots of cars in my life,& the humble Ford Focus out handles a lot of them.

[clarencegi77]

want to see more driver involvement in rallying? make a new rear-wheel drive only class?
plus no trick-diffs or electronic stability programmes...