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The ‘98 WRC season saw an updated WRC97 compete. As in 1996/1997, Subaru pumped its resources into their 1999 model, which is considered to be the start of the technological era in the WRC. Prodrive and Subaru engineers worked tirelessly on the interaction and also focused on the adjustable parameters of the automated controlled systems in the car.
As such, it was the year in which the paddle gear shifters were used in competition, as well as the debut of fly-by-wire throttle technology in rallying, thanks to Subaru and Prodrive.
This blue beast evolved into the WRC2000, and was to be the last of the classic two-door shaped Imprezas. In fact, 80 percent of the 2000 WRC season car was new. 2001 brought an all-new look for the car, but was similar under the skin to the WRC2000.
The Impreza adopted the four-door body shell and closely resembled the STI road car version. This new body shell design proved to be a whopping 250 percent stiffer than the WRC2000s, with the result that Colin McRae was able to steer his car to his second WRC Drivers’ Championship title.
The updates, and momentum, was carried through for 2002, while 2003 saw the SWRT dominate the WRC. Petter Solberg claimed the WRC Drivers’ Championship in the Impreza WRC2003.
The Impreza adopted the four-door body shell and closely resembled the STI road car version. This new body shell design proved to be a whopping 250 percent stiffer than the WRC2000s, with the result that Colin McRae was able to steer his car to his second WRC Drivers’ Championship title.
The updates, and momentum, was carried through for 2002, while 2003 saw the SWRT dominate the WRC. Petter Solberg claimed the WRC Drivers’ Championship in the Impreza WRC2003.
Even with controversial front-end styling (which was not to everyone’s taste), the Impreza remained a firm fan favorite through 2004 and 2005. SWRT’s quest for perfection gave rise to arguably one of the best WRC cars to date, the Impreza WRC2005. Up against the Fords and Citroens, the Impreza fought tooth and nail at each event helping to bring the WRC properly into the mainstream media.
And this battle royale between the manufacturers resumed in 2006 when Subaru launched a new version. This car was reportedly heavily revamped to meet the strict FIA rules and regulations. WRC cars’ drive trains and chassis had to be used on at least two rounds of the WRC, and the FIA even monitored teams’ use of spare parts.
Updated and facelifted for 2007, the Impreza WRC2007 was to be the last sedan-shaped WRC car, ending a long heritage of four-door sedans doing battle around the world’s toughest roads.
Updated and facelifted for 2007, the Impreza WRC2007 was to be the last sedan-shaped WRC car, ending a long heritage of four-door sedans doing battle around the world’s toughest roads.
Fans of the brand, team, and charismatic drivers will have to suffice with reruns of pre-2009 events to satisfy their Subaru lust. Or they can just reread this article.
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