Autoblog

Renaultsport tricks out the Megane N4 for tarmac rallying

Noah Joseph — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hatchback, Renault, Racing

Megane Renaultsport N4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Times are still tough in the automotive industry, prompting several automakers to cut back their racing programs over the past few years. Renault is the latest to join them, selling their F1 team to Lotus. But the French automaker's motorsport division is still glad to sell you what you need to go racing or rallying yourself. They've retasked the department to provide engines to a growing array of F1 teams, and while they were at it, have put together a new rally package as well.

The Megane RS N4 is a tarmac rally machine built to Group N specifications and available to privateer rally teams. Its 2.0-liter turbo four has been upped from 247 horsepower to 265 and packaged with an Ohlins suspension, Sabelt racing buckets, upsized brakes and a limited-slip differential - all of which makes for a compelling package. Check out the full details in the press release after the jump and the images in the gallery below for a closer look.

Gallery: Megane Renaultsport N4

[Source: Renault]

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Renaultsport tricks out the Megane N4 for tarmac rallying originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prodrive launches new rally-spec Subaru Impreza N2010

Noah Joseph — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Subaru, UK, Racing

Prodrive Impreza N2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Prodrive has had a number of clients over the years. They've raced Ferraris at Le Mans, racked up innumerable victories for Aston Martin, and even ran Honda's Formula One team until they took the reins themselves. But few associations have put the British racing consultancy on the map as much as its collaboration with Subaru in the World Rally Championship.

Unfortunately for David Richards and company, Subaru withdrew last year from the WRC. But that hasn't kept Prodrive from tweaking out another rally-prepped Impreza, as if to show it still can. Homologated to production-based Group N specifications, the Impreza N2010 packs a twin-scroll-turbocharged two-liter boxer four with competition-spec fuel injectors, catalyst and ECU for an extra 20 horsepower over stock and a wider torque band. It's also riding on an adjustable Ohlins suspension, with differentials front, center and rear, kept in check by AP Racing brakes and reinforced with an FIA-certified roll cage.

The result is what Prodrive claims is a more competitive package compared to a Super 2000-spec rally machine at about half the price - challengers can pick one up from £120,000 (about $195k), or lease one for two years. Details in the press release after the jump, photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: Prodrive Subaru Impreza N2010

[Source: Prodrive]

Continue reading Prodrive launches new rally-spec Subaru Impreza N2010

Prodrive launches new rally-spec Subaru Impreza N2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki at Geneva

Alex Nunez — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 14:38:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Suzuki

Click image for a gallery of Suzuki's offerings at Geneva

Geneva was a quiet show for Suzuki, as the most impactful vehicle on display, the SX4 sedan, is something we've all seen already. Still, we have to say that as hatchbacks-turned-notchbacks go, we like the way the 4-door looks with its new protruding booty. The SX4 sedan gets the same powerplant as its hatchback brother, but will be offered in a front-wheel-drive config as well. Generally, sedan versions of hatchbacks don't fare so well in the looks department (see Nissan Versa), but between this new Suzuki and the recently-introduced Astra four-door, there's reason to be optimistic that the days of the ugly small sedan are waning. We'll wait and see.

Among the vehicles joining the SX4-door on the stand was the WRC Concept version of the hatch, a Swift Group N rally car, and the Lambo-doored Swift Sport seen above.

Gallery: Suzuki at Geneva

Suzuki at Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Mar 2007 14:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru Australia offering race-prepped Imprezas

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Motorsports, Subaru

Those lucky Australians. Subaru of Australia is offering customers the opportunity to be Cody Crocker for a day (or a season) by piloting their own WRX STi spec.C. That is the Group N, FIA homologated racecar which qualifies for the Production World Rally Championship (PWRC). And although very Imprezive already, the base Impreza WRX STi spec.C is just the beginning. The lucky few who get one of these rally cars can spec it anywhere from wild to race. The Subaru base motorsport package starts at $69,990 and ranges up to the full Production World Rally Championship (PWRC) version at $195,000. Those are Australian dollar figures, in case you're wondering.

More after the jump.

[Source: Subaru Motorsport via The Car Lounge]

Continue reading Subaru Australia offering race-prepped Imprezas

Subaru Australia offering race-prepped Imprezas originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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