All Kind Automotive

"The engine and suspension changes make the N2010 far more competitive," said Graham Prew, Prodrive sales manager.

"On gravel the Impreza is certainly a match for any Super 2000, but it is on tarmac, that the additional engine performance will really come into its own and make the N2010 a competitive alternative to a Super 2000, but at about half the price and with significantly lower running costs," Prew concluded.

Pricing for the Impreza N2010 starts at £120,000 or about US$196,000 / €136,500 at today's exchange rates.

For the first time Prodrive also offers buyers an alternative financing option to lease the Impreza for a period of two years with the option to buy the rally-prepped car at the end of the agreement.

N2010 specification

Engine:

Flat 4-cylinder boxer:

Capacity: 1994 cc

Bore: 92.0 mm

Stroke: 75.0 mm

Turbo charger:

IHI twin scroll with new design regulation 33 mm restrictor with new roller bearing.

Electrical:

Spark plugs: BRISK

Lightweight battery: Odyssey

Controllers and displays:

Engine: Prodrive-Pectel programmable with removable data storage card.

Centre diff: Prodrive-Pectel programmable fully CAN compliant with selectable diff maps.

Driver's screen: GEMS CD25 5.5" colour VGA screen with multiple pages including engine, transmission and steering information. Increased integration of control systems and co-driver's screen.

Exhaust

Hi-flow motorsport catalyst with silencer options available in stainless or titanium.

Fuel system

FIA approved FT3-99 95 litre safety tank centrally mounted under floor.

Transmission

Gearbox: Prodrive-Hewland five-speed manual dog engagement with revised gear linkage and 2-stage shift light.

Front diff: Plated limited slip

Centre diff: Electro mechanical locking

Rear diff: Plated limited slip

Clutch

STI, 240 mm six paddle competition, single plate homologated STI cover.

Roll cage

Prodrive manufactured rollcage to FIA compliant MSA homologated.

Suspension

Revised Öhlins dampers with improved travel, strengthened rear cross-member high performance uprated suspension bushes.

Front: Prodrive-Öhlins TPX 44 MacPherson strut, three-way adjustable with front hydraulic bump stop.

Rear: Prodrive-Öhlins TTX 44 coil-over damper, three-way adjustable on multi-link rear suspension.

Steering

Power assisted quickrack (13:1) for left and right hand drive.

PAS cooler (optional)

Wheels: Speedline or Work

Tarmac: 18" x 8" or 17" x 8"

Gravel: 15" x 7"

Snow: 16" x 5.5"

Brakes: AP Racing

Tarmac: front: four-piston 355 mm rear: two-piston 285 mm

Gravel: front: four-piston 295 mm rear: two-piston 285 mm

Handbrake: WRC style vertical lever using STI/AP homologated piston.

Dimensions

Front track: 1,550 mm

Rear track: 1,540 mm

Length: 4,415 mm

Weight: 1,350 kg

To get an idea, according to the organizers, the WRC2008 Impreza will not be the most powerful car to run in the Scooby Sprint as there are entries running more than 800-horsepower! Prodrive will enter the five-round competition as a 2009 Constructor Team.

Steve Smith, Prodrive car sales manager, said: "We are fully aware that there are some very highly tuned Imprezas out there and we know every one of them will be aiming to beat us. But let's be clear, we are not coming along for the ride."

"We have followed Prodrive's success through the Subaru and Aston Martin motorsport programs and seen the commitment and dedication of all the employees in every aspect of the business," said Mahmoud Samy. "Prodrive has a great heritage and David has a clear vision for growing the business. We look forward to working closely with David and his management team to realize their goals," he added.

David Richards said: "Through Aston Martin, I have worked closely with TID for the last two years. As a result TID has also gained a great insight into Prodrive's expertise and our culture. They very much share our vision for the business and the passion for what we do. With their experience and understanding of the motor industry, they will play a significant role in the long term development of the business."

“Today’s horse racing is like motor racing: weight is critical,” said Prodrive senior composites engineer, Roger Walker. “Every ounce the jockeys can save represents thousandths of a second off the finishing time, which can be the difference between winning and losing by a nose. Jockeys even wear lightweight tights to save weight.”

(Picture edited by CarScoop)

Engine-aside, the new Impreza WRX-S also features 18-inch anthracite GT1 alloy wheels with 225/40 tires, an STI front grille, STI front lip spoiler and STI rear wing and body-colour tailgate moulding. Furthermore, the WRX-S gets a MOMO ‘Air-Race’ gearknob while the colour choice is between San Remo Red, WR Blue Mica, Obsidian Black Pearl and Satin White Pearl. In the U.K., the new Impreza WRX-S is priced from £22,495 OTR offering £4,500 worth of extras over the WRX for a £2,500 premium.

At the same time, the suspension static geometry was also revised to optimize steering and handling while the car’s height was lowered height (-10mm). Prodrive also fitted the Brera S with new lightweight 19” alloy wheels and Pirelli PZero Nero tires along hollow anti-roll bars and aluminium suspension components from the Factory.

As a result, the weight of both Alfa Brera S models is lower than the standard cars. In particular, the front-wheel drive 3.2 V6 JTS is almost 100 kg lighter than the Q4 version and the 2.2 JTS version weighs 35 kg less. However, according to Prodrive’s data sheet, performance is unchanged with the 2.2 JTS and 3.2 V6 JTS Alfa Brera S can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.6 and 7.0 seconds respectively and on to a top speed of 139 and 155 mph.

While changes on the outside are limited to the new alloys and exhaust pipes, inside the V6 version cabin is dressed in black leather with red stitching while the centre console and instruments are faced in a dark finish. This interior can also be specified on the 2.2 JTS. Both versions get foot pedals from drilled aluminum and the headrest recess houses a limited edition Brera S aluminum plate, featuring the flags of Italy and Britain. Price in the UK start at £24,995 (OTR) for the 2.2 JTS rising to £28,450 (OTR) for the V6 version.

BRERA TECHNICAL DATA

EQUIPMENT

ALFA BRERA S 2.2 JTS and 3.2 JTS

• VDC with Hill Holder (ABS + ASR + EBD + Brake Assistant)

• Fire Prevention System (FPS)

• Power assisted steering

• Driver, passenger, front side, window & driver knee airbags

• Front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters

• Alfa Code immobiliser and alarm system

• Electronic key with remote central locking and boot release

• “Follow-Me Home” headlamps

• Electronic start/stop button

• Electric front windows with one touch function and anti-intrusion sensor

• Dual-zone automatic climate control with split temperature and distribution function (air nozzles at rear, pollen filter with active carbon filter and AQS)

• Stainless steel kick plates

• On-board instrumentation with multifunctional display and trip computer

• Car radio with audio CD player (6 speakers)

• Rear parking sensor

• Front fog lights

• Cruise control

• Front armrest with temperature controlled storage compartment

• Brushed aluminium centre console

• Front seats manually adjustable (height, distance, tilting and lumbar adjustment)

• Electrically folding, adjustable, heated wing mirrors

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT 2.2 JTS and 3.2 JTS

• Italian Frau® leather upholstery with red stitching

• 19” alloy wheels with 235/40 tyres

• Prodrive engineering dampers and springs

• Revised exhaust silencer

• Front stone deflectors

• New design chromed exhaust pipe

• Aluminium sports pedals

• Sports leather steering wheel and gear knob with red stitching and steering-wheel mounted radio controls

• Sports instrumentation

• Exclusive seat aluminium badge plate

The Brera S will feature revised suspension settings along with further enhancements to the exterior and interior of the car which will be available with two existing petrol engines in standard specifications. Prices and specifications will be revealed at launch on 19 May 2008.