Ken Block and the Subaru Impreza look like quite a lethal combination in this video. In a display of pure Impreza acrobatics, we see the Subaru Impreza STI prepared by Crowford at 566 hp in a little industrial set rally car drive. With plenty of wheel spin and drifting going on, the top-notch video editing is part of the package. It looks like hard work though…

Continue reading: Ken Block drives the Subaru Impreza

The news that Subaru has withdrawn from the world rally championships is truly incredible, in fact it’s almost shocking. The image of the Japanese company is so linked to rally competition it’s hard to imagine a WRC without a Subaru Impreza whipping its way around the tracks.

The reason for the withdrawal has been put down to the world economic crisis which is currently having an effect beyond expectations if companies like Subaru pull out of their flagship racing competitions. In the words of Prodrive chairman, David Richards: “Subaru’s departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport’s icons. The Subaru World Rally Team has created true champions such as Colin McRae and Richard Burns and its absence will be felt by many the world over.”

Let’s hope the crisis gets itself over with and we can see Subaru back in the dirt, showing what rally car driving is all about.

Source | Gazzetta
and The Independent

Continue reading: Subaru out of rally world championship: rally world loses legend

In this video, the 800 hours required to transform a Subaru Impreza STi into a WRC are summed up in three minutes. In this case we see Travis Pastrana’s car that races in the US, sent to us by the guys at Motorsportblog.it.

Continue reading: Subaru Impreza: from an STi to a WRC in 800 hours - or three minutes

The Subaru Impreza Model Year 2009 will benefit from a series of important updates that won’t be limited just to the look of the car. According to a document that has escaped from under company lock and key, in addition to the improvements in performance on the current series, we could also see a new version, called Impreza GT that will be equipped with the 2.5 turbo from the WRX STI in a real power step from the 225 hp.

This version will be equipped with automatic transmission, different from the WRX MY 2009, although the latter will see a jumpo in power, gaining 40 hp and therefore reaching a total of 265hp all up.

The renews WRX will see some improvements in the suspension, a look inspired by the WRX STI, a new aerodynamic kit and dedicated wheels. The intention behind these two sports versions is to provide some competition for the Lancer Ralliart Sportback, which will be presented at the the Paris show.

Continue reading: Subaru at work on the Impreza GT and a power update for the WRX

Subaru has in store a nasty version of the Impreza, equipped with a diesel engine capable of 200 hp output, which is 50 more than the more normal boxer presented recently.

Prodrive of Banbury is behind the development, according to reports from Channel4Car. The Japanese hatchback has a strong point in its sporty attributes (225 km/hr, 0-60 mph in less than seven seconds), with performance and consumption comparable to the best common rail examples currently available.

The name will probably remain as RS so as not to infringe on the WRX STI range. Unfortunately we will have to wait until next year for sales. Until 2009, as regards a diesel, we will have to satisfy ourselves with the powerstep at 150 hp.

Continue reading: New version of the boxer diesel Subaru at 200 hp