Modified Cars Blog » Subaru

M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 Rally Car

Brett — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:27:42 +0000

In April M-Sport announced that it will develop a rally car to conform to the new FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) Super 2000 (S2000) sporting regulations based on the new Ford Fiesta. Now M-Sport has announced that it has began production of the first Ford Fiesta S2000 rally car at M-Sport’s Cumbrian base. The Ford Fiesta S2000 has also been confirmed as the vehicle that Ford will use in the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship.

The S2000 regulations are aimed at reducing costs and encouraging more teams to participate in the WRC and other national rally championships. The S2000 is significantly cheaper than the current WRC cars and are no less spectacular.

Currently there are only two manufactures competing in the WRC – Citroen and Ford, but Toyota, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Skoda, Fiat, Proton, Lada, Suzuki, MG, Renault and Opel already have S2000 cars competing in various national rally championships that have already adopted the S2000 sporting regulations. Skoda has already tested its Fabia S2000 rally cars in various WRC events this year while Kimi Raikkonen recently tested the Fiat Abarth Grande Punto S2000 at the WRC event in Finland at the end of last month. Former WRC stalwarts, Mitsubishi and Subaru might also begin development of S2000 vehicles.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C

Brett — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:58:07 +0000

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, have launched the Subaru Impreza STI Spec C – a limited edition version of the current Subaru Impreza WRX STI. A Spec C will see a limited production run of only 900 units but will only be on sale in Japan. The modifications carried out by the engineers at Subaru Tecnica International include a reprogrammed ECU, improved ball bearings on the turbocharger’s turbine axle, a tuned suspension, and a reinforced chassis. The exterior of the STI has also benefited from new allow wheels with Bridgestone Potena RE070 tires, and lighter body panels, windows, battery and tire kit.

Despite the engine modifications, Subaru still quotes a maximum power output of 305 bhp at 6,400 rpm peak torque of improved to 311 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm from the 2.0-Liter EJ207 engine.

[Source: Subaru]

2009 Subaru Impreza WRX and Impreza GT

Brett — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:09:23 +0000

Subaru have upgraded the Impreza WRX sport compact and will introduce a new Impreza 2.5 GT model for 2009. The 2.5 liter aluminum boxer engine in the 2009 Impreza WRX will benefit from a larger turbocharger, a new larger-diameter exhaust and low-density catalyst which pushes power up to 265 hp at 6,000 rpm (from 224 hp) and a maximum torque of 244 lb-ft. at 4,000 rpm (from 226 lb-ft). The WRX also gets a tweaked suspension, wider and lower-profile performance tires, a STi-type grille, the now standard Aero Package, which was previously part of the optional WRX Premium Package, Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability, traction control and a new interior.

The2.5 GT model will be powered by less powerful turbocharged 2.5 liter boxer engine that produces 224 hp matched a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with SPORTSHIFT.

Both the 2009 Impreza WRX and the new 2.5 GT will be available in 4-door and 5-door models and will feature Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. However, the 2009 Impreza 2.5 GT with its automatic transmission will uses a different version of the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. An electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch actively manages power distribution based on acceleration, deceleration, and available traction.

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi at bargain prices!

Brett — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:42:08 +0000

Subaru has announced pricing for the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi, which will be available in the second quarter of 2008. The good news for British Subaru fans is that the new STi will cost £1,600 less than the model it replaces. Expect to see the price on the current model drop dramatically as dealers attempt to make space on their showroom floors for the new model!

For the UK market, the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi will be powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter horizontally opposed engine that features variable-valve timing and a fast-warm catalytic converter. The engine develops a maximum 297 hp at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 300 lb-ft. at 4,000 rpm! Power is transferred to the wheels via a six-speed manual transmission with a shorter-throw gear-change. This gives the new Subaru Impreza WRX STi a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 4.8 seconds and a top speed is 155 mph with fuel consumption of 27.4 mpg.

The new model has an improved all-wheel drive system that features a centre viscous-coupling as well as front and rear limited-slip-differentials. The centre differential has also been improved and is called a Multi-mode Driver Control Centre Differentia, which allows driver to select the front to rear torque distribution to suit the prevailing road conditions.

Subaru also plans to introduce a more powerful higher-spec Impreza 2.5 WRX STi modified by the car tuning company Prodrive.