Free Upgrade for Subaru Impreza WRX

Mention Prodrive to a rally enthusiast and visions of Richard Burns flying through the air in his Subaru will come to mind immediately. The UK-based company which has been responsible for developing Subaru’s World Rally Championship (WRC) winners has gained a strong reputation over the years and its experience in developing high-performance engines is available to Subaru owners too.

For the Impreza WRX saloon, Prodrive has an upgrade called the ‘WR Sport Performance Package’ which boosts maximum power output from the boxer engine to 245 ps (180 kW) at 6500 rpm from the 218 ps (160 kW) of the standard engine. At 4000 rpm, there’s about 26% more power on tap compared to the standard engine.

Torque is also improved to 355 Nm and re-tuning gives even stronger throttle response – right from idle – with a smooth and steady surge all the way to the redline. According to Prodrive’s claims, there is none of the discernible power fall-off from 6000 rpm to 7000 rpm, a characteristic which owners of the standard WRX lament about. Generous torque – as much as 315 Nm – is available from way down at 3000 rpm and peaks at 4000 rpm.

However, this high-performance package is not only about tyre-smoking starts; there is also significant improvement in the times for in-gear acceleration. According to Prodrive, almost 3 seconds can be shaved off 3rd gear acceleration from 30 to 120 km/h while, in 4th gear, the car gets from 40 to 160 km/h almost 4 seconds quicker. Contributing to this quickness is the built-in ‘Quickshift’ which offers even shorter travel between gear positions.

The secret of the performance package is a reprogrammed ECU, complemented by uprated intercooler piping and a free-flow exhaust system with a large single tailpipe.

The WR Sport Performance Package can only be fitted after the car is registered. Coming from a UK outfit, it is obviously within legal requirements permitted for modifications. And being approved by Subaru, the package comes with the same 12-month/20,000 km warranty that the WRX has.

Prodrive also offers various accessories for the WRX and its range of OZ Racing 10-spoke wheels is particularly enticing. These wheels, in gold or anthracite, are sized in 7.5×18 as well as 7×17 and can be shod with 225/40R18 or 205/45R17 Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tyres. On the standard WRX, the 7×16 wheels are fitted with 205/60R16 tyres.

Aerodynamic add-ons are also available and not only do they give a more aggressive look to the car, they also provide a degree of improvement in stability. A car fitted with the aerodynamic aids has about 25% less lift at 160 km/h, it is claimed.

The standard Impreza WRX costs RM215,000 without insurance and if you buy one before December 31st 2001, Motor Image will give you the Prodrive WR Sport Performance Package for NO EXTRA CHARGE. So beg or borrow (it’s a crime to steal so don’t try that means) the money since such an offer may never be repeated!