McRae ’01

I’ve been looking at lots of old Subaru rally photos the last few days. I remember how everyone hated the GDA when it first came out. How times have changed.

I need one of those Prodrive front bumpers.

A Perfect Match

No brand has become more synonymous with Subaru than Prodrive. The firm started its close relationship with the auto manufacturer in 1990, when they formed the Subaru World Rally Team. Since then numerous race inspired products have found their way onto road cars. The OEM-like attention to detail, quality and fitment has made Prodrive a very popular brand among Subaru owners.

Despite being UK-based, the brand has always had a strong foothold in the US and Japan. Over the years, it’s become increasingly difficult to source their products. Their WRC front bumper is one of many highly sought after pieces that people are lining up to pay a premium for.

Prodrive also produces some of the best looking and most underrated wheel designs on the market and I’d love to see more Subarus using them.

 

Revisit: Subaru STi RB5

A few weeks ago, I posted about the UK-only STi RB5. The car is essentially an upgraded GC8, in honor of Richard Burns’s return to the SWRT.

The other day I came across this lightly modded example.

Judging by that sheet of paper on the rear window, this car was for sale at some point.

It’s easy to understand why so many consider the GC8, to be Subaru’s best iteration of the Impreza. I mean look at the thing! Even by today’s standards, it’s a thing of beauty; with so much character. The RB5′s biggest selling point, has to be that pristine shade of Steel Blue Mica.

WRC Certified Used Cars

Apparently, Prodrive will sell you one of their old Subaru WRC cars. How much?

Know Your Roots

Nothing else need be said.

Mediterranean STi

Word of my blog must have caught on in Greece because I’ve just heard from another Greek Subaru owner. Andreas was kind enough to send over some pictures of his WRC-inspired GRB STi project, which I rather like.

The first thing I noticed were the 18×8.5 Work XC8′s. They nicely resemble the BBS’s the SWRT used for tarmac stages on the WRC car. The closest thing BBS actually makes to those wheels (for a street car) are the factory wheels from the 04-07 STi; the XC8′s are a very nice substitute. The STi front lip and Prodrive carbon door mirrors nicely round out the front end of Andreas’ car.

The massive L’AUNSPORT rear wing draws in most of the attention at the back of the car. It wouldn’t be my first choice to use on the street, but I like the looks of the L’AUNSPORT wing a lot. The STi is also fitted with a custom turbo back exhaust and the factory turbo has been ported and polished. The setup is making around 350hp on an EcuTek. A big thanks to Andreas for sharing his GRB STi with me and I hope to see more updates of the car in the future!

Photos courtesy of Andreas Georgiopoulos.

Rally Roots

This STi fitted with some WRC trimmings is on point.

I’m really digging the carbon on the headlights. The front lip is also a nice touch. Now about those wheels?

Still Want

These are my favorite brakes right now. STi 6-pots off the world rally car, by AP Racing. Sweet!

Prodrive WRC Engine

Sadly, Subaru is no longer participating in the WRC, damn economy. Regardless, I still love to check out the SWRT’s cars, especially their power plants.

The FIA has all kinds of restrictions on the power levels of WRC cars. Last I read, all cars had to be turbocharged and all had to be tuned to nothing exceeding 300bhp. It’s really amazing to look at that monster of an engine setup and see that it’s only making 300bhp. I’m sure there’s all kinds of limiters on the stand alone that keeps the power levels down. By far the coolest thing about this Prodrive WRC engine and all rally cars is anti-lag. Anti-lag basically spools the turbo even though the car isn’t moving, which creates full boost off the line, and no turbo lag out of turns. This is the reason why rally cars appear absolutely insane during races because they are utilizing a great majority of their power, at all times. I really hope once the economy gets back on it’s feet, Subaru and other manufactures that have dropped out come back to motor sports.