SUBARU IMPREZA
WRC 2003
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Overall length: | 4,405 mm (173.4 in) |
| Overall width: | 1,770 mm (69.7 in) |
| Overall height: | 1,390 mm (54.7 in) |
| Wheelbase: | 2,535 mm (99.8 in) |
| Curb weight: |
1,230 kg (2,712 lb) (WRC regulation minimum) |
| Fuel tank: | 80 liters (21.1 gal) |
|
ENGINE |
|
| Configuration | horizontally opposed 4-cylinder, 16-valve, turbocharged |
| Displacement: | 1,994 cc (122 cu in) |
| Bore x stroke |
92.0 mm x 75.0 mm (3.62 in x 2.95 in) |
| Engine management: | 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 |
| Turbocharger: | IHI, with WRC regulation 34 mm restrictor |
| Spark plugs: | NGK |
|
DRIVETRAIN |
|
| Configuration: | 4-wheel drive |
| Transmission: | 6-speed electrohydraulic |
| Torque split front/rear: | 50/50 |
| Differentials: | electrohydraulically controlled |
|
CHASSIS |
|
| 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, water-cooled calipers) |
| Steering: | power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Tires: | Pirelli |
| Shock absorbers: | fully adjustable, with remote reservoirs |
| Wheels: | O.Z. cast magnesium |
|
ONBOARD SYSTEMS |
|
| Data systems: | 3 microprocessor controllers: one each for engine, transmission, and data-logging, joined by CAN-bus link |
| Driver display: | LCD color monitor with eight selectable data screens |
| Radio equipment: | Kenwood |
2008 WRC SCHEDULE
| January 24-27 | 76e Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo |
| February 8-10 | Uddeholm Swedish Rally (Production Car WRC) |
| February 29-March 2 | Corona Rally México |
| March 28-30 | Rally Argentina (Production Car WRC) |
| April 24-27 | Jordan Rally WRC |
| May 16-18 | Rally d’Italia-Sardegna |
| May 29-June 1 | BP Ultimate Acropolis Rally (Production Car WRC) |
| June 13-15 | Rally of Turkey (Production Car WRC) |
| July 31-August 3 | Neste Oil Rally Finland (Production Car WRC) |
| August 15-17 | ADAC Rallye Deutschland |
| August 28-31 | Rally of New Zealand (Production Car WRC) |
| October 2-5 | Rallye de España |
| October 10-12 | Rallye de France Tour de Corse |
| October 24-26 | Rally Japan (Production Car WRC) |
| November 28-30 | Wales Rally GB (Production Car WRC) |
SUBARU IN INTERNATIONAL RALLYING:
2003 - BACK ON TOP
Tommi Mäkinen and Kaj Lindström in action, Wales Rally GB 2003.
THE SUBARU WORLD RALLY TEAM ENTERED THE 2003 WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON WITH FORMER DRIVERS’ CHAMPION TOMMI MÄKINEN AND YOUNG PETTER SOLBERG CAMPAIGNING RALLY CARS BASED ON THE NEW 2003 IMPREZA WRX.
Ten years after the Subaru World Rally Team (SWRT) debuted the Impreza model in the World Rally Championship (WRC), it started the season with new Impreza WRC2003 rally cars. Even though SWRT had shown promise during the 2002 season, a series of unfortunate circumstances relegated Subaru to 3rd place in the Manufacturers’ Championship and Petter Solberg to 2nd in the Drivers’ Championship.
COMPETITIVE TEAMS
Tommi “Golden Boots” Mäkinen celebrates with a euphoric Petter Solberg at the end of the last stage, Wales Rally GB 2003.
SWRT had a head start because it was the only team to have its 2003 rally cars ready for the season’s first rally – Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo. Although neither Petter Solberg/Phil Mills nor Tommi Mäkinen/Kaj Lindström finished the first event, they scraped and clawed throughout the year to set up the season finale at the Wales Rally GB. By then, Solberg/Mills had won three WRC rallies.
Heading into the Wales Rally GB, four drivers were in contention for the Drivers’ Championship – Sébastien Loeb and Carlos Sainz, tied with 63 points; Petter Solberg with 62 points; and Richard Burns with 58 points. But Burns was hospitalized prior to the event and didn’t participate.
Solberg was determined, winning the first Super Special stage. Loeb countered by winning the second stage. Sainz, Loeb’s teammate, crashed during the next stage, leaving the rally – and the drivers’ title – to be contested by Solberg and Loeb. During the rally’s Leg 2, Solberg set fastest time for each stage. On the third day, despite sustaining damage on a later stage, Solberg was fastest on the last stage to clinch the event and the title. Petter Solberg instantly became a national hero in his native Norway.
Thanks to points-paying drives by Solberg/Mills and Mäkinen/Lindström throughout the season, Subaru placed 3rd in the Manufacturers’ Championship.
COMPETITIVE CARS
Rally Finland in August marked the 10th anniversary of WRC competition for the Subaru Impreza model. During those 10 years, the Impreza was the most competitive car in the WRC.
SWRT’s Subaru Impreza WRC2003 was based on the new lighter and more rigid Impreza body. It was the result of an integrated design process between Subaru and Prodrive. The rally version featured body modifications and aerodynamic enhancements in the front bumper and rear wing. The WRC2003’s upgraded engine benefitted from greater torque at low and medium engine speeds and improved pickup capability.
The car received additional modifications throughout the season, notably to its suspension system.
2007 WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW
| DRIVER STANDINGS | POINTS |
| 1. Sébastien Loeb, Citroën | 116 |
| 2. Marcus Grönholm, Ford | 112 |
| 3. Mikko Hirvonen, Ford | 99 |
| 4. Daniel Sordo, Citroën | 65 |
| 5. Petter Solberg, Subaru | 47 |
| 6. Henning Solberg, Ford | 34 |
| 7. Chris Atkinson, Subaru | 31 |
| 8. Jari-Matti Latvala, Ford | 30 |
| 9. Manfred Stohl, Citroën | 13 |
| 10. François Duval, Citroën | 12 |
| MANUFACTURER STANDINGS | POINTS |
| 1. BP-Ford World Rally Team | 212 |
| 2. Citroën Total World Rally Team | 183 |
| 3. Subaru World Rally Team | 87 |
| 4. Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team | 81 |
| 5. OMV Kronos Citroën World Rally Team | 45 |
| 6. Munchi’s Ford World Rally Team | 14 |