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In 1997, Toyota Corolla WRC started the movement towards hatchback rally cars and decade later only Subaru was still running a World Rally Car based on a sedan. Impreza WRC2007 was to be the final version before they too changed to hatchback.
Mechanically quite similar to it's immediate predecessor, there are some changes under the skin. Radiator airflow was changed, switching air intake back to central scoop after it had been unused for several years. Additionally, hot air extraction was changed from one central vent to two smaller side vents, making this version easily identifiable.
Detail changes included re-location of the spare tyre, moved from boot to inside the cockpit. Officially this was done to move the tyre away from heat of the exhaust and offer better accessibility to it by the crew, yet interestingly Ford had done the reverse decision. New location of the spare allowed slightly straighter exhaust which exit through rear bumper rather than under it.
Drivers complained continually about the lack of traction and work was done on optimizing the operation of the central differential. Also, new dampers were installed but car still suffered from deteriorating performance the further it proceeded into the stage. Sadly, it also continued the Impreza WRC2006 tradition of not being able to win a rally.
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| Debut WRC event: | Mexico 2007 |
| Best WRC result: | 2nd by Petter Solberg in Portugal 2007
2nd by Christopher Atkinson in Mexico 2008
2nd by Christopher Atkinson in Argentina 2008 |
| Rallies contested: | 19 | (works entries) |
| WRC starts: | 46 | (works entries) |
| Outright wins: | 0 | |
| Podiums: | 6 | (podiums to starts ratio 13.0%) |
| DNF's: | 9 | (DNF's to starts ratio 19.6 %) |
| Points scored: | 114 | (manufacturer championship points) |
| Avg points per rally: | 6.0 | |
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| Group and class | World Rally Car |
| Engine |
| Location: | Front longitudinal |
| Turbo: | Yes |
| Cylinders: | 4 flat (boxer) |
| Valves: | 16 |
| Bore x stroke: | 92.0 x 75.0 mm |
| Cubic capacity: | 1997 cc |
| Power: | 300 hp |
| Torque: | 589 Nm |
| Dimensions |
| Length: | 4340 mm |
| Width: | 1800 mm |
| Height: | 1390 mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2520 mm |
| Weight: | 1230 kg |
| Transmission |
| Drive: | 4WD |
| Gearbox: | Longitudinal |
| Gears: | 6 |
| Sequential: | Yes |
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Subaru Impreza WRC2007
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