1997 IMPREZA WRC97
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Overall length: | 4,340 mm (170.9 in) |
| Overall width: | 1,770 mm (69.9 in) |
| Overall height: | 1,390 mm (54.7 in) |
| Wheelbase: | 2,520 mm (99.2 in) |
| Curb weight: | 1,230 kg (2,712 lb) |
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ENGINE |
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Displacement/ configuration: |
1,994 cc, horizontally opposed 4-cylinder, turbocharged, intercooled |
| Power: | 300 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque: | 347 lb-ft |
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TRANSMISSION |
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| Gears forward, drivetrain: |
6-speed, 4-wheel drive |
2006 SUBARU WORLD RALLY TEAM
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Overall length: | 4,425 mm (174.2 in) |
| Overall width: | 1,800 mm (70.9 in) |
| Overall height: | 1,390 mm (54.7 in) |
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Wheel- base: |
2,545 mm (100.2 in) |
| Curb weight: | 1,230 kg (2,712 lb) |
| Fuel tank: | 80 liters (21.1 gal) |
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DRIVETRAIN |
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Config- uration: |
4-wheel drive |
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Trans- mission: |
6-speed electro-hydraulic |
| Torque split front/rear: | 50/50 |
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Differ- entials: |
electro-hydraulically controlled |
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CHASSIS |
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| Front suspension: | MacPherson strut |
| Rear suspension: | MacPherson strut with longitudinal and transverse link |
| Brakes: |
AP 305 mm ventilated discs and 4-piston calipers front and rear (for asphalt use,
front brakes are 366 mm ventilated discs with
6-piston calipers) |
| Steering: | power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Tires: | Pirelli |
| Shock absorbers: | Sachs, fully adjustable, with remote reservoirs |
| Wheels: | BBS |
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ENGINE |
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Config- uration: |
horizontally opposed 4-cylinder, 16-valve turbocharged |
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Displace- ment: |
1,944 cc (122 cu in) |
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Bore x stroke: |
92.0 mm x 75.0 mm (3.62 in x 2.95 in) |
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Engine manage- ment: |
Subaru programmable electronic engine management system |
| Power: | 300 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque: | 434 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Exhaust system: | ceramic coated, fireproofed and covered with aluminum; two 3-way catalytic converters |
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Turbo- charger: |
IHI, with WRC regulation 34 mm restrictor |
| Spark plugs: | DENSO |
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ONBOARD SYSTEMS |
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| Data systems: | one electronic control system for engine, transmission and data-logging |
| Driver display: | LCD color monitor with eight selectable data screens |
| Radio equipment: | Kenwood |
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DRIVERS/CO-DRIVERS |
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| Petter Solberg/Phil Mills, Stéphane Sarrazin/Stéphane Prévot and Chris Atkinson/Glenn Macneall | |
SUBARU IN INTERNATIONAL RALLYING: 1997-1998
BUILDING THE WRC MACHINE
SUBARU IMPREZA WRC2006
ESTABLISHED AS A MAJOR FORCE IN THE WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP IN PREVIOUS SEASONS,
SUBARU PREPARED TO EXTEND ITS TWO-YEAR REIGN AS MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPION.
The Impreza model boosted Subaru to the forefront of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in the 1990s. It seemed to be the right car in the hands of driver/co-driver teams such as Colin McRae/Derek Ringer and Carlos Sainz/Luis Moya. The two Manufacturers’ Championships in 1995 and 1996 brought high expectations for the future.
1997 – CARRYING THE BANNER FORWARD
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The WRC’s rules and regulations changed for the 1997 season. These allowed modifications in several areas, including vehicle width, suspension geometry, engine componentry and aerodynamics. Engine modifications were made to the camshafts, cylinder ports and combustion chambers. Intercoolers were allowed greater capacity.
The point system also was revised, and the series expanded from nine to 14 rounds.
Subaru debuted the Impreza WRC97 before the entries from the other manufacturers, and its appearance turned heads. Many assumed it would win the championship once again.
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While Subaru driver Colin McRae fought against Mitsubishi driver Tommi Mäkinen for the Drivers’ Championship, Subaru teams brought home a total of eight victories out of the 14 rallies. Mäkinen finally captured the Drivers’ Championship in the final round – by one point. But Subaru won the Manufacturers’ Championship for the 1997 season.
In addition to Colin McRae/Nicky Grist, the Impreza WRC97 had several driver/co-driver teams throughout the season. These included Piero Liatti/Fabrizia Pons (first in Monte Carlo), Olivier Burri/Christophe Hofmann and Kenneth Eriksson/Staffan Parmander (first in Sweden and New Zealand).
1998 – A TIME FOR PATIENCE
Changes for the Impreza WRC98 included an improved differential gear system, electronic shifting and electronic throttle. The driver/co-driver lineups for Subaru were much the same as for 1997, with Colin McRae/Nicky Grist taking the only wins (Portugal, Corsica and Greece). Jahu Kangas/Pentti Kuukkala and Jarno Kytölehto/Arto Kapanen each drove in one round.
Bad luck with weather and mechanical components throughout the year led to a third-place finish for Colin McRae in the Drivers’ Championship as well as for Subaru in the Manufacturers’ Championship.
MORE CHANGES TO COME
The Subaru WRC team concluded the 1998 season with significant changes looming. New driving teams and major shifts in mechanical equipment held great promise for 1999 and beyond.
That’s where coverage of Subaru in international rallying begins in the next issue of Drive Performance.