GT5 Transcripts/Subaru Impreza Rally Car GD

The year 2001 was a noteworthy year for the WRC (World Rally Championship) Impreza race machine. Not only did the road-going Impreza undergo a full model change, the race version went from a 2-door to 4-door body style.

Naturally there were concerns of body rigidity with the new car, but Subaru made sure is possessed as much, or even more, structural rigidity than its predecessor without any weight increase. But what really set the new car apart from the 2-door version were the dramatically improved aerodynamics, a product of a new body style that was highlighted by the car's unusual face. Underneath the sheet metal, much of the previous car made its way into the new one, meaning it was still one of the most potent machines in the world.

The revitalized Impreza gave driver Richard Burns a victory in the 10th round at New Zealand. In 2002, STI engineers improved the engine's torque, lightened the chassis, and improved structural rigidity. They entered two cars in the WRC, piloted by Tommi Mäkinen and Petter Solberg; however, they fell short of the title that year.

Determined to win, Subaru completely redesigned the front fascia and the rear wing to improve aerodynamics. Low-end torque was improved to gain speed out of corners. As a result, Petter Solberg recorded four wins out of 14 races and took the Driver's Championship. Four-time world champion Mäkinen decided to end his 17-year career here, and the Impreza Rally Car became the last WRC car he raced.