Banbury-based tuning specialist Prodrive has announced the arrival of the new Impreza N2010, its latest FIA specification Group N rally car.
Based on the Subaru Impreza WRX STI, the N2010 uses revised turbo geometry, fuel injectors and ECU calibration to increase power by 20bhp and torque by a significant 113lb.ft. The new output figures from the bulletproof 1,994cc Subaru flat-four boxer engine are 316bhp and 413lb.ft respectively.
To match the increased performance, the chassis, suspension and brakes have been enhanced in the pursuit of better overall dynamics and driveability. Graham Prew, Prodrive sales manager said: “On gravel, the N2010 is certainly a match for any Super 2000, but it's on tarmac where the additional performance will really come into its own...”
Look a little deeper under the skin, and the N2010 is a technical tour de force. All that urge is channelled through a custom Prodrive-Hewland five-speed gearbox to a sophisticated four-wheel drive system with three electronically controlled differentials - one front, one rear and one central - for the most efficient distribution of power to the wheels on any road surface. The car also comes with a selection of wheel and tyre size options to suit running on gravel, tarmac and snow.
The driver is kept informed of what's happening with the engine, transmission and steering via a dash-mounted 5.5-inch multi-page screen, with a second smaller screen for the co-driver.
Based on a strengthened five-door Subaru Impreza shell, each Prodrive N2010 is hand built to competition standards and delivered to customers race-ready. Budding rally drivers will have to dig deep though - with a starting price of £120,000, any privateers without serious company backing will probably not be making the trip to Banbury.
David Hamilton - 22 Jan 2010