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.