Subaru Return to the WRC

[rastapasta]

Morning

Report in the Australian and Japanese press suggest Subaru are developing a new Supermini with a view to entering it into the WRC with a 1.8 flat four developed also for the new Levorg.

https://www.caradvice.com.au/701289/subaru-develop...

https://www.torquenews.com/1084/rumors-subaru-desi...

Interesting times

[Sa Calobra]

I'll watch again!

[GravelBen]

Will be interesting to see if the rumours are true, another manufacturer in the WRC would be great for the series and even more so with their rally heritage.

However the WRC rules tend to favour a transverse I-4 pretty heavily over a boxer - IIRC they have to keep factory crank position, but they're allowed to rotate a transverse I-4 so far back from the production position that its practically horizontal behind the crank line for greatly improved weight distribution and c.o.m. Which obviously isn't an option with a longitudinal boxer, even it has better weight distribution and c.o.m in production form.

I can't see Subaru returning to WRC unless something is changed there for an even playing field - I don't think they would be interested if the rules make their platform uncompetitive by definition.

[rastapasta]

GravelBen said:

Will be interesting to see if the rumours are true, another manufacturer in the WRC would be great for the series and even more so with their rally heritage.

However the WRC rules tend to favour a transverse I-4 pretty heavily over a boxer - IIRC they have to keep factory crank position, but they're allowed to rotate a transverse I-4 so far back from the production position that its practically horizontal behind the crank line for greatly improved weight distribution and c.o.m. Which obviously isn't an option with a longitudinal boxer, even it has better weight distribution and c.o.m in production form.

I can't see Subaru returning to WRC unless something is changed there for an even playing field - I don't think they would be interested if the rules make their platform uncompetitive by definition.

I am inclined to think the timeframes quoted are unrealistic when the current regs are due to be changed in 2022. It would mean their developing a car for competition with a shelf life of one year. The thing is Toyota are pushing for a return for subaru and mitsubishi, which on the one hand is strange when subaru are 20% owned by Toyota. However I guess along the same lines as Skoda vs VW it maybe makes it more interesting. The thing is there is no real push for rallying in japan unless these makers with such a heritage as subaru and mitsubishi are entered. Also i think you are presuming that the layout will be as you suggest and this is presumably based upon current production configurations. I bow to your knowledge but I would say that the FIA will need to listen to makers in order to make the championship more interesting. In this regard the waving of a carrot such as subaru and also mitsubishi (whom I would assume will return when the championship goes electric given their investment in that technology) would be second only to Fiat waving a Lancia return under the FIA's noses.

Another point is, as regards to the car itself, there is rarely any smoke without fire. I know for a fact there is a gap in the market in central europe for a 4wd supermini that is really only being filled currently by Suzuki since the Trezia was taken off the market. Throw some zip into such a car and I will gladly wave the chequebook take the Legacy off the road and into semi retirement. Subaru have a huge following where I live in Switzerland for obvious reasons. They are ubiquitous and the swiss petrolheads are always bemoaning the current brand direction. I think they will return to rallying especially if US sales continue to boom to bankroll such a venture.

[Tidgy]

tbh i can see it being a bit play ground rumor so doubt it myself.

That said, they have been having a big success in the US with rally and world rally cross programs being run by vermont sports car and subaru themselves are getting involved there next year, although its subaru USA not subaru themselves.

Interest in subaru is def growing over in the US thanks to the rally progress and such, but i don't think that will happen this side of the pond in the UK. Subaru UK have shown time and time again they arn't interested in the performance market or customers satisfaction and are down right incompetent when it comes to it. How a company has destroyed a pure cult following in under 10 years is beyond me.

[rossub]

Nobody will care unless you can buy something similar as a road car - i.e. with the 1.8 litre turbo'd flat four, AWD and a decent power output.... even a nod to the styling perhaps.

WRC has been dying a slow death since 1997, when the serious departure from road cars began. Anyone get excited about the 206 or Citroen Xsara of the early 2000s? Thought not.