Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Subaru
Subaru announces RB320 STi in honor of fallen rally driver
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Subaru is paying tribute to the late Richard Burns, 2001's World Rally Champion, by offering a special-edition Impreza in his honor. The RB320 STi's name is derived from Richard's initials and the power output of the car's engine. All the Richard Burns editions receive the Prodrive Performance Pack, which in addition to delivering the 320 horses, includes an uprated suspension that puts the Subie 30mm closer to the ground. Enhancing the car's dropped appearance are a lip spoiler and and exclusive wheels which, along with the rest of the bodywork, are coated in Obsidian black paint. Slick-looking mesh grille inserts contrast the Vader-like finish nicely, and RB320 badging announces the car's limited nature to bystanders and other drivers.
The first of the RB320s will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting the Richard Burns Foundation.
(Press release after the jump)
[Source: Subaru UK]
PRESS RELEASE:
SUBARU ANNOUNCES RALLY HERO SPECIAL EDITION
Subaru has announced a new special edition Impreza WRX STI in memory of rally hero Richard Burns who died in November last year of cancer.
Called the RB320, the new car features around £6,000 worth of extra equipment including the 320 PS Prodrive Performance Pack, yet costs £29,995 on-the-road – an increase of only £3,500.
Available only in Obsidian Black, the RB320 features bespoke 18 ins alloy wheels and specially developed Prodrive suspension comprising Bilstein dampers, a sports spring kit with revised rear anti-roll bar and a ride height lowered by 30 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear.
Also standard on the RB320 are a chrome mesh front grille, front lip spoiler, quickshift gearchange, side sill plates and RB320-branded gear knob, carpet mats and exclusive exterior badging. Each owner will also receive an individually numbered black alloy tax disc holder.
The PPP boosts power to 320 PS at 6,000 rpm with torque leaping to 332 lb ft at 3,700 rpm. This reduces the 0-60 mph time to 4.8 seconds with a 0-100 mph time of 12.2 seconds.
And as a further incentive, those customers placing early orders with deposits will be offered a limited number of places at a special RB320 launch event next March at Prodrive's test track in Warwickshire.
Not only will RB320 fans take delivery of their cars at the circuit but will be able to drive demonstration STIs around the track and meet rally celebrities.
In addition, customers will also be able to register on-line and reserve the limited-edition number of their choice via a special sub-section of Subaru's website.
Finally, the first car is to be given away in a special raffle organised by Autosport magazine, donated by Subaru (UK) Limited.
The proceeds will go to the Richard Burns Foundation which helps those suffering from serious injury and illness.
Subaru rally ace, Richard Burns – holder of the FIA World Rally Championship driver's title – died in November 2005 of brain cancer at the age of 32.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ken J 11:18AM (11/22/2006)
This is what a company that values its heritage does. I don't remember any D.E. Chevy's.
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JJM3 11:24AM (11/22/2006)
"This is what a company that values its heritage does. I don't remember any D.E. Chevy's."
Really?
http://www.daleearnhardt.net/chevy/signature/index.htm
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drolds1 11:30AM (11/22/2006)
Thank you for posting that JJM3, but this is what you get here all too often: the uninformed, pull "facts" of out my butt posters.
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rocketpunch 11:44AM (11/22/2006)
RIP RIchard.
I am sorry to say, this is nothing more than a PR ploy by Subaru.
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topcars 11:45AM (11/22/2006)
Cool!!!
When you think that Richard Burns's rally car had 300 HP and you can drive a 320HP car free on the street
http://www.topcars.auto-power-girl.com/
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MKULTRABLIZZARD 12:04PM (11/22/2006)
car looks great all 'blacked out'. wish they'd loose the wing though.
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tbyron 12:16PM (11/22/2006)
Marketing ploy? In the sense that they are trying to drive further sales in the last model year of this generation, yes there is a marketing angle to this. With the Prodrive package and revised ride height setup and additional horsepower, using the word "ploy" is unfair. Its a shame that Chevy didn't use a similar strategy with their DE ploy; but, that said, I suppose the nature of relationship between the street and NASCAR race cars is too tenuous to know where to start when considering enhancements. Pity for us all.
RIP Richard
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Fazzster 1:58PM (11/22/2006)
At least the Subaru is a real car with real performance. The DE Chevy's are just another rental car. Nice job Subaru.
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araemo 2:03PM (11/22/2006)
I won't get into the bashing and defense here, but regarding the topic, if I had the scratch(And if they offered it in the US), I'd pick one up in a heartbeat, it's an awesome car w/ my options, mods, and color choices pre-applied, probably for about the same it would cost me to do myself after-purchase, but with the added bonus of full factory warranty coverage. Sounds like a fun car to me, too bad all those scoobies are overpriced(To my budget anyways).
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eltsdrac 2:08PM (11/22/2006)
This is going to be such a limited production run that it will have virtually no impact on the worldwide number of Imprezas/WRX/STI's sold. Even a 2,500 car run(which exceeds the run of STI Limiteds) would not have an impact of worldwide sales. So don't be a hater.
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Bill Maher is an Idiot 3:42PM (11/22/2006)
The wing should stay, but be smaller. No matter what you do, the WRX STI is still ugly.
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Jason G 4:57PM (11/22/2006)
The rally car may only have 300HP (due to the intake restrictor), but it will have mammoth torque numbers...probably doubling the factories.
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vectorbug 6:16PM (11/22/2006)
Thats a damn fine looking piggy. I never really associate Burns with Subaru (always think of McRae), I think its great.
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kip 5:01PM (11/23/2006)
Dear Subaru,
Please bring this car to the US.
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Ali 2:47AM (11/25/2006)
WooooooooooooW Amazing i love the way it looks ...?
Love Cars visit:
www.jordancars.net
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Luke 6:00AM (11/26/2006)
Richard Burns (January 17, 1971 – November 25, 2005)
age is 34 not 32
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Dale 10:53AM (12/01/2006)
Marketing ploy? Did you miss the part about them auctioning off the first cars to benefit the foundation?
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nutty 11:27AM (12/15/2006)
this is a wicked looking sti! we have a sabb 9-2x aero (a rebadged wrx). how about trying to paint this one one a bit better than all your other cars...
subaru, pleease bring this car to the states!
americans think nascar drivers are great... :(
the rally car may 'only' have 300hp, but the street car is no match on weight or torque numbers.
2,712 lbs vs. 3,296 lbs. 584lbs lighter!
60kg-m @ 4000rpm (588 Nm) vs. 392 Nm @ 3,700...
the rally car can absolutely pulverise the street car. 20 hp is not going to make but the slightest difference to those numbers.
i'm sorry, but power to weight ratio and mammoth torque is everything. then comes a drivetrain, suspension, and brakes that can deal with all that monstrous ability.
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nutty 2:31PM (12/15/2006)
oops! forgot my blog.
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Snix 8:54AM (1/14/2007)
Isn't this car an S207, which is only available in Japan right now? Whatever, I'd like to buy one.
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