Subaru WRC Concept: 2008 Rally Contender

Motoring Channel Staff - 10/August/2007

Gunma, Japan — Is this the new STI? Not quite, it's a concept car, but it does tell us a lot about what the new WRX STI will eventually look like. Subaru has shown off a number of vehicles at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, which includes this - the WRC Concept.

It's true that Subaru will be spruiking vehicles like the new Impreza hatchback and Tribeca SUV to European audiences, but the most intriguing display vehicle will be this one, the WRC Concept.

This new design reveals yet another possible glimpse of the highly anticipated Impreza WRX STI's design. For all intents and purposes, it is Subaru's 'halo' car.

At present the new Impreza is set to go on sale in Australia in September, to be followed by the pulse-pounding WRX STI "around February next year" according to Subaru Australia, so we expect imagery of the production version to surface soon.

Petter Solberg was on hand in Frankfurt alongside Subaru's top brass to unveil the WRC Concept to the media, which is based on the WRX hatch. A (very) similar looking rally car will then be entered into the 2008 World Rally Championship season.

At present Subaru isn't having its best year in rally racing, as the Ford Focus is currently leading the field in the World Rally Championships, followed closely by the Citroen C4. 

Subaru will be hoping a new model and a fresh start in 2008 will improve its chances at victory.

The design of the WRC Concept shows off a powerfully styled rear end with twin exhaust outlets, a large carbon fibre composite rear wing and a mild rear diffuser backed up with advanced underbody aero work. The rear of the production model WRX STI that will coming to Australia early in 2008 will likely espouse a similarly large rear spoiler, and possibly the dual exhaust pipes.

Round the front of the car, the WRC Concept shows off a wide-body kit, but this is unlikely to make the production model STI. The square-shaped front grille may however be part of Subaru's hero car. Overall it's not hugely different to the standard WRX models, but it's high performance 2.5-litre turbo boxer engine is expected to be the most powerful ever dumped into a Subaru.

Subaru will also be showcasing its horizontally opposed diesel engine, which will be a big seller in Europe, and plans are underway to introduce the engine in Europe sometime in 2008. Hybrid and next generation low emissions vehicles have made a strong showing at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, and Subaru displayed it's own R1e, an electric vehicle that's already in use in Japan. 

Related articles:
- Subaru Liberty GT Spec.B - Tuned by STI (Road Test)
- Subaru WRX STI Aero Kit (2008)
- Subaru Impreza WRX sedan (2008)
- Subaru Tribeca (2008)
- Subaru Impreza WRX (Road Test)
- Subaru Forester XT (Road Test)
- Subaru WRX - Tuned by STI (2007)
- Subaru Develops Diesel Boxer Engine (2007)
- Subaru Liberty Blitzen (2006)