Subaru Announces 2008 Impreza WRX STi Group N Rally Car

Subaru revealed today the 2008 Impreza WRX STi Group N which is based on the domestic Japanese spec model. The rally prepped Impreza will be sold at specially agreed motorsport bases (STI base teams) in Europe, South Africa, etc. for use in the 2008 season. As a Group N vehicle and in contrast to the Group A all-out competition production-derived vehicles, the STi features limited modifications compared to the standard specification model. For example, the Group N STi’s 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer unit delivers the same output (304 Hp) and maximum torque figure (43,0 Kgm) as the standard STi. -Details after the jump

Via: Insideline , Source: Subaru

Press Release - New Model IMPREZA WRX STI : Sale of FIA Group N Rally Base Vehicle

Subaru Tecnica International (STI) has decided on the standard specification of the FIA (International Automobile Federation) Group N car with the new Impreza WRX STI, sold by FHI as a base vehicle. They will be sold at specially agreed motorsport bases (STI base teams) in Europe, South Africa, etc. for use as rally base cars.

The new IMPREZA WRX STI (vehicle type: Subaru CBA-GRB) that went on sale on October 24th for the domestic market is a 5 door car with the combination of Subaru’s unique symmetrical AWD chassis layout and high power horizontally-opposed 2 liter turbo engine. They have continued development for the customer-prepared Group N rally cars to be presented in 2008 or after, exchanging information with the FHI production car development team, to improve elements and the competitiveness necessary for rallying. As soon as the base vehicles go on sale, the FIA VO parts for Group N and the STI sport parts for increased competitiveness will be released. FHI has decided that they will apply for FIA Group N status for the new IMPREZA WRX STI, and are aiming to get approval on January 1st 2008.

The new IMPREZA WRX STI features improved basic chassis functionality, including increased maneuverability through modifications to the front suspension geometry, better stability in straight line movement through a larger wheelbase, and better road-holding through the adoption of a double wishbone rear suspension. In addition, by adopting an active valve control system (AVCS) that sucks in emissions, an electronically controlled throttle, strengthened conrods and such, they have increased engine performance ? mainly the power output and torque, allowing for even more precise engine settings. The 3-mode SI drive and multi-mode DCCD (drivers control differential) - which control the different characteristics of the enginefs torque - have computerized controls, allowing users infinite possibilities in rally competition. In addition to all this, they have cut back on the rear overhang, altered the distribution of weight in the front and rear, raised the centre of gravity, and optimized the height of the roll centre, all of which contribute to the increased performance in rallying of the new machine.

STI has been working on the development of the new IMPREZA WRX STI Group N model for a long time, cooperating with the previously mentioned STI base teams, finalizing the standard specification after development tests carried out in Europe and South America. The results of rough gravel tests in South America and the twisty smooth gravel tests in Northern Europe have shown that the new model has better performance through improved times recorded on these tests.

The Group N base vehicle, based on the domestic Japanese model, will be delivered to STI base teams around the world for the 2008 season.

Major Components of the New Model IMPREZA WRX STI

Car: SUBARU CBA-GRB

Model type: 5-door AWD 6MT

Dimensions (mm): Length: 4415 x Width: 1795 x Height: 1475 x Wheelbase: 2625

Vehicle weight (kg): 1470

Engine: EJ20 2.0 litre DOHC 16 valve AVCS turbo

Engine power: Max. output: 227 k-W (308ps)/6400 rpm. Max. torque 422 N-m(43.0kg-m)/4400 rpm

Fuel tank: 60 litres

Steering: Rack & pinion 13 : 1

Suspension: Front: Strut Rear: Double wishbone

Brakes: Front: Ventilated discs Rear: Ventilated discs

STI Group N project

STI started the Group N project in 2003 to expand its business within the FIA Group N category, the most popular class in world rallying. They appointed George Donaldson from the UK as the local general manager of STI, for research, marketing, and other motor sports-related purposes in Europe. He has mainly been undertaking support for IMPREZA entrants in the FIA Production car World Rally Championship (P-WRC), local FIA competitions, and other domestic rallies in various countries.

From 2004, STI created specially agreed motorsport bases called gSTI base teams.h Their concept is for STI and the base teams to join forces to expand Group N, and they have made marketing efforts with Prodrive from the UK and Tommi Makinen Racing from Finland.
This organization has recently made contracts with Barratero Racing from Argentina, Uspenskiy Rally Technica (Russia), Stohl Racing (Austria), and Motor Image (Singapore) in an effort to expand their international horizons. Since 2005, over 500 of the previous model IMPREZA WRX STI spec C Group N base cars (2005, 2006, and 2007 models) have been sold with the cooperation of the STI base teams.

The new IMPREZA WRX STI Group N machine has been developed in conjunction with the base teams. The development tests carried out in South America and Northern Europe after the spring of 2007 provided an extraordinary contribution to the development of the new car, as the conditions were extremely similar to those found on actual rallies.

STI base teams have worked together with STI to create a business infrastructure in Group N. In addition to their contributions in developing rally parts, the base teams manage customers and distribute both base cars and rally cars in their respective areas. Rally parts (safety mechanisms and guards) are also provided to customers by the base teams.

New Model IMPREZA WRX STI

FIA Group N Rally Competition Parts on Sale

Subaru Tecnica International (STI) has designated that FIA (International Automobile Federation) Group N rally competition parts for the New Impreza WRX STI sold by FHI will start being sold from November 1st in Europe, South America, and other specially agreed motorsport bases (STI base teams).

Rally competition parts for the new Impreza WRX STI (vehicle type: Subaru CBA-GRB) were developed by STI with all the know-how accumulated throughout previous models. They will start being supplied as soon as the vehicle goes on sale, and able to be used after the new Impreza WRX STI becomes approved by the FIA group N homologation in January 2008. The competition parts consist of the minimal necessary core parts and VO parts; there are also newly designed parts for the full model change of the vehicle as well as existing parts for previous models. The new parts were developed in conjunction with FHI partner suppliers that provide production car parts and as a joint project with suppliers with strong international backgrounds. It has been proven that the final product has performed extremely well, from the very good results of tests carried out on both rough gravel roads in South America and twisty smooth gravel roads in Northern Europe.

The competition parts feature increased durability of rubber parts such as mounts on suspension bushes and engine gearboxes, brake systems with accomplished large volume calipers, variable proportioning valves that optimize braking and increase stability, LSD with selection of multiple operating characteristics (3 types in front and 3 types in the rear) to increase competitiveness, and pillow ball top mounts with increased strength and part life. The parts delivery system has been developed towards the 2008 season so that the end users can start preparing as soon as they get their hands on the base vehicles. The engine control unit (ECU), drivers control differential (DCCD) control units, FIA group N 32mm engine restrictors, all with the know-how of STI consolidated into them, are prepared for delivery sometime after December 1st.

New model IMPREZA WRX STI Group N rally parts list

	Part No.	Part Name	VO	Retail Price(JPY)
Existing part	410224S020	ENGINE MOUNT SET VO	V	40,000	now on sale
Existing part	ST410224S040	GEARBOX MOUNT		7,480	now on sale
New part	20320ZR100	TOP MOUNT Ft (PILLO)	V	48,000	2007.11.1
New part	20370ZR100	TOP MOUNT Rr (PILLO)	V	48,000	2007.11.1
New part	45135ZR000	CUSHION RAD DUPR AND LWR SET		3,000	2007.11.1
New part	20204ZR000	RUB BUSH ARM Ft Ft		3,800	2007.11.1
New part	20204ZR010	RUB BUSH ARM Ft Rr		3,800	2007.11.1
New part	41022ZR000	CUSH RUB CRMN SET		2,000	2007.11.1
New part	41322ZR000	CUSH RUB DIFF Ft RH		4,800	2007.11.1
New part	41322ZR010	CUSH RUB DIFF Ft LH		4,800	2007.11.1
New part	20174ZR000	RUB BUSH Rr SUB FRM		5,800	2007.11.1
New part	41322ZR020	RUB BUSH DIFF Rr		6,000	2007.11.1
New part	20254ZR000	RUB BUSH TRG Ft		4,500	2007.11.1
New part	20254ZR020	RUB BUSH LAT Ft		4,500	2007.11.1
New part	20254ZR030	RUB BUSH LK R OUT		4,500	2007.11.1
New part	20254ZR040	RUB BUSH UPR Ft		4,200	2007.11.1
New part	20254ZR010	RUB BUSH TRG Rr		4,500	2007.11.1
New part	20254ZR060	RUB BUSH STAB LK		4,100	2007.11.1
New part	20414ZR000	RUB BUSH Ft STAB for 17mm		2,500	2007.11.1
New part	20464ZR000	RUB BUSH Rr STAB for 15mm		2,000	2007.11.1
New part	20464ZR010	RUB BUSH Rr STAB for 17mm		2,000	2007.11.1
New part	26402ZR000	M/C SPACER	V	TBA	2007.11.1
New part	26402ZR010	ROD RH	V	5,000	2007.11.1
New part	26402ZR020	ROD LH	V	5,000	2007.11.1
New part	28321ZR000	DRIVE SHAFT ASSY Ft	V	180,000	2007.11.1
New part	28421ZR000	DRIVE SHAFT ASSY Rr	V	150,000	2007.11.1
Existing part	283964S000	DRIVE SHAFT BOOT KIT( F )	V	15,000	now on sale
Existing part	284964S000	DRIVE SHAFT BOOT KIT ( R )	V	15,000	now on sale
Existing part	384154S000	SPINDLE (F)	V	22,000	now on sale
New part	28373ZR000	HUB UNIT Ft		13,000	2007.11.1
New part	28473ZR000	HUB UNIT Rr		13,000	2007.11.1
Existing part	261004S010	GpN BRAKE KIT Ft (Gravel)	V	620,000	now on sale
Existing part	261004S000	GpN BRAKE KIT Ft (Tarmac)	V	620,000	now on sale
New part	26100ZR010	GpN BRAKE KIT Rr	V	620,000	2007.11.1
Existing part	262204S050	Ft BRAKE CALIPER RH GRAVEL/TARMAC	V	144,000	now on sale
Existing part	262204S060	Ft BRAKE CALIPER LH GRAVEL/TARMAC	V	144,000	now on sale
Existing part	262204S070	BRKT/Ft CALPER GRAVEL/TARMAC	V	44,500	now on sale
Existing part	262204S080	SPACER/Ft TARMAC CALPER	V	30,000	now on sale
Existing part	263004S060	Ft BRAKE ROTOR RH/TARMAC	V	83,000	now on sale
Existing part	263004S070	Ft BRAKE ROTOR LH/TARMAC	V	83,000	now on sale
Existing part	263004S100	BELL/Ft BRAKE ROTOR/TARMAC	V	66,000	now on sale
Existing part	262994S040	BOBBIN KIT Ft TARMAC	V	14,500	now on sale
Existing part	263004S080	Ft BRAKE ROTOR RH/GRAVEL	V	83,000	now on sale
Existing part	263004S090	Ft BRAKE ROTOR LH/GRAVEL	V	83,000	now on sale
Existing part	263004S110	BELL/Ft BRAKE ROTOR/GRAVEL	V	50,000	now on sale
Existing part	262994S050	BOBBIN KIT Ft GRAVEL	V	14,500	now on sale
Existing part	266204S000	Rr BRAKE CALIPER RH GRAVEL/TARMAC	V	13,800	now on sale
Existing part	266204S010	Rr BRAKE CALIPER LH GRAVEL/TARMAC	V	13,800	now on sale
Existing part	26620ZR000	BRKT Rr RH/Rr BRAKE CALIPER G/T	V	86,000	2007.11.1
New part	26620ZR010	BRKT Rr LH/Rr BRAKE CALIPER G/T	V	86,000	2007.11.1
Existing part	267004S030	Rr BRAKE ROTOR RH GRAVEL/TARMAC	V	80,000	now on sale
Existing part	267004S040	Rr BRAKE ROTOR LH GRAVEL/TARMAC	V	80,000	now on sale
Existing part	267004S050	BELL/Rr BRAKE ROTOR GRAVEL/TARMAC	V	56,000	now on sale
Existing part	266994S020	BOBBIN KIT Rr	V	14,500	now on sale
New part	28411ZR000	HOUSING Rr Rh	V	14,000	2007.11.1
New part	28411ZR010	HOUSING Rr Lh	V	14,000	2007.11.1
Existing part	267044S000	DISK BRAKE COVER R Rh(AP)	V	42,857	now on sale
Existing part	267044S010	DISK BRAKE COVER R Lh(AP)	V	42,857	now on sale
Existing part	264824S000	VARIABLE P VALVE	V	75,000	now on sale
Existing part	261004S040	HYD HAND BRAKE CYL BRKT KIT	V	135,714	now on sale
New part	TBA	HAND BRAKE LEVER RH		TBA	2007.11.1
New part	TBA	HAND BRAKE LEVER LH		TBA	2007.11.1
New part	35010ZR010	T/M SHIFT LINKAGE 6MT	V	45,000	2007.11.1
New part	TBA	MECHANICAL LSD Ft ASSY 3 OPTION	V	TBA	2008.1.1
New part	TBA	MECHANICAL LSD Rr ASSY 3 OPTION	V	TBA	2008.1.1
Existing part	ST301004S040	CLUTCH DISC (6MT)	V	27,500	now on sale
Existing part	ST302104S020	CLUTCH COVER (6MT)	V	38,500	now on sale
Existing part	390004S020	DCCD OVERHAUL KIT(06 MY)	V	70,000	now on sale
Existing part	ST390004S000	FRONT LSD OVER HAUL KIT	V	34,000	now on sale
Existing part	ST3900055040	REAR LSD OVER HAUL KIT	V	28,000	now on sale
Existing part	32000AJ070	TRANS ASSY 07MY		540,000	now on sale
New part	144594ZR000	INTAKE DUCT ASSY	V	TBA	2007.11.1
New part	10020ZR000	RISTRICTOR 32mm 08MY	V	25,000	2007.11.1
New part	45162ZR000	HOSE RADIATOR UPER AND LWR SET	V	TBA	2007.11.1
New part	12009ZR000	PISTON ASSY		34,000	2007.11.1
New part	22611ZR000	GROUP N ECU		140,000	2007.12.1
New part	32520ZR000	GROUP N DCCD CU		120,000	2007.12.1
New part	22401ZR000	SPARK PLUG (STD TYPE)		6,000	2007.12.1
New part	TBA	SPARK PLUG (RACING TYPE)		6,000	2008.3.1
New part	45137ZR000	RADIATOR CAP (PUSH)		TBA	2008.1.1
Existing part	281004S120	WHEEL 15INCH 114.3		32,000	now on sale
New part	34110ZR000	LHD STRG RACK 13:1		285,000	2007.11.1
New part	20410ZR000	STABILIZER Ft 18mm (VO)	V	25,000	2007.11.1
New part	20204ZR020	BEARING LWR ARM Ft ( R )	V	TBA	2008.12.1
New part	TBA	ROOF VENTILATOR	V	TBA	2007.11.1
New part	45511ZR000	ENG OIL COOLER (NO FITTING HOSE)	V	TBA	2007.12.1
New part	38316ZR000	Rr DIFF CASE COVER	V	82,000	2007.12.1

* The price is as of November 1st 2007, not including installation fees or tax.

* he parts above are group N rally competition parts. Knowledge in rallying is necessary upon installing them. The parts are not to be installed on road cars.

* Parts marked as VO are parts to apply for FIA VO. FIA group N authorization papers are needed upon participation.

* The parts above are designed to pass FIA competition vehicle regulations, but do not guarantee competition compatibility. Please confirm compatibility with the respective competition rules.

* Catalogue numbers and prices displayed may change without notice.