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The Subaru Impreza Rally Car '98 is a rally car produced by Subaru. It first appeared in Gran Turismo 7 as part of Update 1.49. It replaces the 1999 Impreza Rally Car, which appeared in previous titles.

The car represented in the game is the #3, driven by Colin McRae during the 1998 WRC season. During the season, McRae scored three overall victories, and finished 3rd in the Driver's championship.

Description[]

"Subaru's triple race winning World Rally car from the 1998 season."

Subaru's Impreza has been a formidable contender in the World Rally Championship since 1993, securing the Manufacturers' Championship title in 1995 and 1996 under Group A regulations. In 1997, under the new WRC regulations, Subaru clinched the Manufacturers' Championship title yet again, achieving an impressive three-year consecutive streak.

The 1997 World Rally Car-specification Impreza, known as the WRC97, was based on the 2-door coupe model. The existing engine was tuned to deliver 295.9 HP and 347.2 ft-lb of torque. The suspension geometry was redesigned, and the body was widened to the regulatory maximum of 69.7 inches to enhance handling performance.

The WRC98, introduced in 1998, featured further modifications, including computer-controlled active differentials in the front, rear, and center couplings.

Although Subaru missed out on the championship title in the 1998 season, the car demonstrated its prowess as a serious contender. Colin McRae drove it to victory in Round 4 (Portugal), Round 6 (Tour de Corse), and Round 8 (Acropolis), highlighting the vehicle's pure off-road tenacity.

Legend Cars (GT7)[]

The World Rally Championship represents the pinnacle of rally racing. It was on this international stage where Subaru became the first Japanese automaker to accomplish the great feat of winning three successive manufacturers' titles, from 1995 to 1997. The car that was responsible for this "three-peat" was the Subaru Impreza WRC. The Impreza WRC came bathed in the blue livery of the Subaru works team. It combined a turbocharged boxer engine with an advanced all-wheel drive system. The machine won many rally competitions, including the Rallye Monte Carlo. After the announcement of the new world rally-car regulations in 1997, the Impreza WRC went to battle as a 2-door coupé with unique blister fenders both at front and rear. Its refreshed appearance strongly resembled the original Impreza 22B STi.[1] From behind the wheel of the new-look Impreza WRC, driver Colin McRae claimed three victories for the Subaru rally team in 1998.

Acquisition[]

Game Purchase location Credits Other methods
Gran Turismo 7
(Update Iconv1.49+)
Legend Cars 650,000[2] ---

Trivia[]

  • Due to international tobacco advertising laws, the 555 decals were replaced with the crescent moon decals used on the real-life car when racing in countries that banned tobacco advertising. Despite this, uncensored 555 decals can be seen on photos of the 1994 and 1997 Impreza Rally Cars in Subaru's Museum section.
  • In GT Auto, custom license plates can be equipped, being the only other race car other than the Ferrari 250 GTO '62 with the ability to do so.
  • The car's placement in the Gr.B class follows the precedent set by the Toyota CELICA GT-FOUR Rally Car (ST205) '95, a Group A rally car of the same performance as the late 90's/2000s World Rally Cars.

Notes[]

  1. The 22B came out later after the rally car.
  2. Price as of July 2024.
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