page_title: Subaru Impreza WRC
section_title: World Rally Car Impreza GD, 2001–2008
hierarchical_section_title: Subaru Impreza WRC / Evolution history / World Rally Car Impreza GD, 2001–2008
caption_attribution_description: English: Petter Solberg's Subaru Impreza WRC car is serviced prior to the start of the 2008 Rally Mexico at rally base in the Poliforum in Leon, Mexico.
context_page_description: The Subaru Impreza WRC is a World Rally Car based on the Subaru Impreza road car. It was used by Subaru World Rally Team, Subaru's factory team, and replaced Subaru Legacy RS from in 1993. The car was debuted at 1993 Rally Finland and won a total of five world rally titles, including three consecutive manufacturers' titles in and two drivers' titles.
context_section_description: The WRC2001 featured an entirely new look, based on the GD chassis Impreza WRX. The new body had four doors (instead of two), and featured revised aerodynamics, improved weight distribution, and a lower centre of gravity. However, all the mechanical development from the previous year, including the engine, suspension, and drivetrain remained, with subtle refinements.
  The WRC2002 was introduced at Corsica, and looked largely the same as the previous year's car. However, development of the car continued throughout the season. Improvements were made to the driveshaft, transmission housing, and steering column, as well as to the turbo-charger and manifold, which was changed from a 4–2–1 configuration to a 4–1 configuration. Savings found in modified brackets, wiring, and glass reduced weight by 33 lbs.
  The WRC2003 was introduced at the 2003 Rallye Monte Carlo. It featured a revised look based on the updated Impreza introduced the previous year. Technical improvements were made to the turbocharger and engine, aiming to increase torque at lower RPMs allowing greater driveability. The car's body shell was made both lighter and stiffer. Throughout the year modifications were made to the car's suspension.
  The WRC2004 did not feature many cosmetic changes from the previous year's car, but did have refinements in the engine and body panels. It was introduced at Rally Mexico. A revised gearbox was introduced halfway through the season.
  The WRC2005 was introduced following 12 months of joint development by Subaru and Prodrive, on 11 March 2005 at Rally Mexico. Its re-styled bodyshell was stiffer, and 30 mm wider to allow a wider track. The car featured more composite body panels, including front and rear wheel arches and bumpers in order to decrease weight. Engine enhancements included a lightened flywheel and revised IHI turbocharger. Revised water injection and fuel injection systems were also introduced.
  The WRC2006 had several changes from the previous year's car due to rule changes which banned active differentials as well as water injection, as well as mandating that teams must re-use cars and engines on selected ‘pairs’ of events. Due to the rule changes, the car was introduced on the first round of the season.
  The WRC2007, a revised version of the earlier year's car, was introduced at the fourth round of the championship, Rally Mexico. It featured new dampers, a different radiator and intercooler arrangement, as well as improved weight distribution, suspension geometry and differential set-ups. It was considered to be underachieving compared to the newly introduced 2007 Focus WRC and the all-new Citroen C4 WRC. The car suffered from extensive handling problems, resulting in Subaru withdrawing from Rally Finland on the second day of the rally.
  Each transmission in the WRC2007 takes 85 hours to build, and costs over £75,000. The front and rear differentials are similar while the centre differential is unique. Each takes around 16 hours to build and costs about £20,000. The cases for the transmission and differentials are constructed from magnesium to reduce weight. Filled with oil, the transmission weighs 95 kg, and a differential weighs 25 kg. The car's engine, transmission and differential are individually oil sealed, so that they can be removed and replaced without fluid loss. This also helps the team replace the components in 10–12 minutes. The transmission's lubrication system has a 4.5 litre capacity and includes an oil pump to help control differential temperatures, which usually operate around 100C. The transmission retains the roadgoing Impreza's H pattern but utilizes a hydraulically actuated and electronically controlled semi-automatic gearshift. The hydraulic gear shift system operates at a pressure of 2,500psi, allowing gear shifts to be completed in less than .1 seconds.
caption: Petter Solberg's WRC2007 in service at the 2008 Rally Mexico.
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