Prodrive unveils the 2006 Impreza Group N
Prodrive has launched its new Subaru Impreza Group N for 2006, the N12. The car features many performance enhancements over the current 2005 model, the N11. Engine power and torque output are up, thanks to an increase in turbo boost, while the car has aerodynamic improvements as a result of the base car’s face lift and changes to the rear spoiler and air diffuser.
In the last three years, the Subaru Impreza has become the most competitive car in the Group N class. The Impreza won the Production World Rally Championship in 2003 and 2004 and currently Subaru Imprezas lie first and second in the 2005 PWRC, as well as occupying seven of the top ten positions. Last year, Prodrive Group N customers won national Group N championships across the world in Russia, Italy, Turkey, Ireland, Poland, Slovenia, Estonia and South Africa. This year they have already secured the Middle East and Slovenian Rally Championships for the second seasons in succession.
Just four years ago, Prodrive was manufacturing less than ten Group N cars a year, in 2005 the company has made more than 40 international specification N11s and sold a further 20 base cars for conversion. Prodrive’s target is to produce a similar number of N12s for 2006, which will bring the total to more than 200 that it has sold.
Following development work on the first prototype N12, the first customer cars should be delivered in December 2005, with Prodrive and Subaru working towards an homologation date of January 2006. Left hand drive conversion kits will once again be available.
To support the increasing number of Group N customers, which now stands at more than 120 cars, Prodrive has increased its event engineering support team to 12. By the end of 2005, Prodrive sales engineers will have attended more than 220 events across the world.
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