Thursday 15th January 2004

Scooby WR1

Another variation on the Impreza theme - this time with 310bhp

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Last week Subaru unveiled a special edition Impreza WRX STi to celebrate Petter Solberg winning the Driver’s Title in the 2003 World Rally Championship.

On sale in the spring and limited to 500 units, the ‘WR1’ – as it will be called – will feature a power upgrade to around 310bhp plus a host of technical and visual changes.

For example, the Impreza ‘WR1’ will feature a driver’s control centre-differential (DCCD) via a switch mounted next to the handbrake.

It means the torque distribution between front and rear wheels can be manually selected. This allows the choice, for example, between a sharper cornering turn-in or more stable straight-line running. The system defaults to ‘automatic’ mode whenever the ignition is restarted.

Also new for the ‘WR1’ are special, Prodrive-developed uprated springs and bump-stops with a 25 mm lower ride-height.

Other handling-enhancing features include 18 ins diameter P-FF7 (Prodrive Flow Forming seven-spoke) alloy wheels with Pirelli PZero tyres.

Externally, the new ‘WR1’ will be instantly recognisable thanks to its new Ice Blue Metallic paint plus driving lamps and a stainless steel mesh grille.

Interior changes include anthracite instead of blue suede-effect seats, a special gear knob, imaged carpet mats and a numbered tax disc holder.

Shared features with all Impreza WRX STi’s range from a six-speed gearbox to Brembo brakes and front and rear ‘Suretrac’ differentials.

The new Subaru Impreza STi ‘WR1’ will enter dealer showrooms in April costing £29,995 on-the-road.

Links

• Subaru Links
• Subaru Owners

[Dodge]

Crikey, a non-import scoob with DCCD... Perhaps to tempt us away from the import Spec C.

[Mr E]

That's not a huge price increase over an STi either.....

I even could get to like the colour...

[Dodge]

Yes, although somebody just told me that you can now get the 2.5l Type 25, with 350 bhp, (but possibly no DCCD) in the UK, though... Mmm, 350 bhp...

It's still nice to see some of the jap-spec stuff (DCCD etc) making it's way into the proper UK market, though.

[smifffy]

Agreed, I got a call from the dealer yesterday to ask if I was interested in buying one as I was a P1 owner. To be honest it was tempting, but the only area where it's significantly better is with the DCCD control. Elsewhere the P1 already has the uprated springs, dampers etc etc and with 285 horses I doubt the power would feel significantly different.

Next week I'm having a stiffer anti roll bar fitted to the P1 to cure the understeer woes. If this does the job, then I'll stick with it for a while longer because this is the only area I can fault the car.

I do like the ice blue colour though

[ultimapaul]

I've managed to get myself one secured. No deposit yet, but one has my name on it

Has anyone driven the Spec C? I'd be interested to hear how it compares to the standard STi.

TIA

Paul.

[dodge]

Funnily enough, I've driven the red Spec-C that Litchfield Imports had in the mags.

It was only a short blast, but it was enough to know that the Spec-C is a very different beast to the STi..

Firstly, it sounds like an angry spanner storm, rather than the traditional burbling of the STi.

Suspension seemed more sorted - less brittle, if you like. The gearing was a little short for me - I couldn't quite get used to it in the short drive. It's got the same aero-looking wing as the previous (yellow) S202. General driving speed seems to be naturally 20 mph faster than a std car..

I certainly preferred it to the std STi, but interestingly, they've now developed a Type 25, with the US engine in it...