SUBARU IN INTERNATIONAL RALLYING: 2002
1ST-PLACE BOOKENDS FOR THE SEASON
Mäkinen/Lindström, Safari Rally.
 Tommi Mäkinen (left) and Petter Solberg (right) led the 2002 WRC campaign for Subaru. |
WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF FORMER WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS’ CHAMPION TOMMI MÄKINEN AND THE POTENTIAL OF RISING STAR PETTER SOLBERG, THE 2002 SUBARU CAMPAIGN HELD GREAT PROMISE.
EXTERIOR HIGHLIGHTS
Finland’s Tommi Mäkinen signed up to drive for the Subaru World Rally Team in October 2001, and expectations were high for the 2002 World Rally Championship (WRC) season. Mäkinen joined Subaru after winning the WRC driver’s championship four years straight – 1996-1999.
THE FORTUNES OF RALLY
 Solberg/Mills, Telstra Rally | |
 Solberg/Mills, Catalunya Rally |
|
 Solberg/Mills, Rally Deutschland | |
 Mäkinen/Lindström, Cyprus Rally. |
The WRC season started as hoped, with Tommi Mäkinen and co-driver Kaj Lindström winning the first round in Monte Carlo. However, they finished only five of the remaining 13 events due to a myriad of challenging scenarios – from accidents to lost wheels. Mäkinen seemed to have gone into a slump.
Teammates Petter Solberg/Phil Mills fared much better, finishing nine of those rallies – five on the podium. At the last event of the year – Rally of Great Britain – Solberg/Mills won their first WRC rally together for Subaru. Plus, the season’s accumulated points were enough to beat Carlos Sainz (driving for Ford) for 2nd place in the WRC Drivers’ Championship.
SUBARU IMPREZA WRC2002
The Subaru Impreza WRC2002 was introduced at the third round of the WRC in Corsica. Exterior changes from the previous car were minimal, centered mainly beneath the front bumper.
Under the skin, mechanical development continued throughout the year. The evolving changes included modifications of the exhaust manifold, flywheel, and turbochargers for improved torque characteristics between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm, which is the engine speed for approximately 90 percent of a rally. The exhaust manifold was changed from a 4-2-1 configuration from header to exhaust pipe to a 4-1 configuration – all four pipes converging into one.
Other parts were revised for added rigidity, lighter weight, and improved drivability. These included the driveshaft, transmission housing, and steering column. Thinner rear-window glass, smaller brackets, and other measures helped take 33 pounds out of the car’s curb weight.
With the introduction of the WRC2002, Subaru already had celebrated 100 completed rallies between 1993 and 2001. During that time, the Subaru World Rally Team won 33 rallies, five WRC Manufacturers’ Championships, two WRC Drivers’ Championships.
2002 AND 2007 SUBARU WORLD RALLY CARS
 SUBARU IMPREZA WRC2002 |
 SUBARU IMPREZA WRC2007 | |
DIMENSIONS | ||
| Overall length | 4,405 mm (173.4 in) | 4,425 mm (174.2 in) |
| Overall width | 1,770 mm (69.7 in) | 1,800 mm (70.9 in) |
| Overall height | 1,390 mm (54.7 in) | 1,390 mm (54.7 in) |
| Wheelbase | 2,535 mm (99.8 in) | 2,545 mm (100.2 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,230 kg (2,712 lb) (WRC regulation minimum) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lb) (WRC regulation minimum) |
| Fuel tank | 80 liters (21.1 gal) | 80 liters (21.1 gal) |
ENGINE | ||
| Configuration | horizontally opposed 4-cylinder, 16-valve, turbocharged | horizontally opposed 4-cylinder, 16-valve, turbocharged |
| Displacement | 1,994 cc (122 cu in) | 1,994 cc (122 cu in) |
| Bore x stroke | 92 mm x 75 mm (3.62 in x 2.95 in) | 92 mm x 75 mm (3.62 in x 2.95 in) |
| Engine management | Subaru programmable electronic engine management system | Subaru programmable electronic engine management system |
| Power | 300 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 300 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 345 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 434 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Exhaust system | ceramic coated, fireproofed, and covered with aluminum; two 3-way catalytic converters | ceramic coated, fireproofed, and covered with aluminum; two 3-way catalytic converters |
| Turbocharger | IHI, with WRC regulation 34 mm restrictor | IHI, with WRC regulation 34 mm restrictor |
| Spark plugs | NGK | DENSO |
DRIVETRAIN | ||
| Configuration | 4-wheel drive | 4-wheel drive |
| Transmission | 6-speed electrohydraulic | 6-speed electrohydraulic |
| Torque split front/rear | 50/50 | 50/50 |
| Differentials | electrohydraulically controlled | electrohydraulically controlled |
CHASSIS | ||
| Front suspension | MacPherson strut | MacPherson strut |
| Rear suspension | MacPherson strut with longitudinal and transverse link | MacPherson strut with longitudinal and transverse link |
| Brakes | AP 305 mm ventilated discs and 4-piston calipers front and rear (for asphalt use, front brakes are 366 mm ventilated discs with 6-piston, water-cooled calipers) | AP 305 mm ventilated discs and 4-piston calipers front and rear (for asphalt use, front brakes are 366 mm ventilated discs with 6-piston, water-cooled calipers) |
| Steering | power-assisted rack-and-pinion | power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Tires | Pirelli | Pirelli |
| Shock absorbers | Bilstein®/Prodrive, fully adjustable, with remote reservoirs | Sachs, fully adjustable, with remote reservoirs |
| Wheels | OZ cast magnesium | BBS |
ONBOARD SYSTEMS | ||
| Data systems | three microprocessor controllers: one each for engine, transmission, and data-logging, joined by CAN-bus link | one electronic control system for engine, transmission, and data-logging |
| Driver display | LCD color monitor with eight selectable data screens | LCD color monitor with eight selectable data screens |
| Radio equipment | Kenwood | Kenwood |