1993 Subaru Impreza 555 Following the Legacy RS and its single victory, the Impreza made its competition debut at rally Finland in 1993. Subaru opted to call their competition model the 555 since their key sponsor was State Express 555 who manufactured cigarettes, but were forbidden to advertise under FIA...
Subaru Race Cars
Strap yourselves in for a high-octane ride through the world of rally racing! This page delves into the roaring engines, groundbreaking technology, and iconic blue and gold liveries that cemented Subaru's place as a rally champion. We'll explore the key Subaru race cars that dominated the scene, the skilled drivers who pushed them to the limit, and the innovations that left the competition in the dust.
Full Model List / Models In-Depth / Image Gallery / Best Subaru Race Cars
Every Subaru Race Car
Subaru's legacy in the world of motorsports is as dynamic and enduring as the vehicles it produces. Renowned for its symmetrical all-wheel drive and robust engineering, Subaru has not only excelled in consumer markets but has also carved a significant niche in racing. In this ultimate guide, we explore every race car ever crafted by Subaru, tracing their evolution from the rally stages to the racetrack.
This comprehensive list covers the illustrious history of Subaru's participation in various racing disciplines, including the World Rally Championship (WRC), where the brand achieved legendary status through iconic models like the Impreza WRX STI. From the dusty trails of the Safari Rally to the high-speed tarmac of circuit racing, Subaru's race cars have consistently demonstrated their prowess and adaptability. Join us as we delve into detailed profiles of each model, discussing their technological innovations, race records, and the drivers who pushed them to their limits. Whether you're a motorsport aficionado or a Subaru enthusiast, this guide promises a thorough insight into the thrilling world of Subaru race cars.
Misc
Airslayer STI - Gymkhana 2020
Family Huckster - Gymkhana 2022
Rally Cars
Subaru FF-1
Subaru GL
Subaru Leone RX
Subaru Leone RX Turbo
Subaru RX
Subaru Crosstrek Desert Racer
Subaru Legacy RS (1990 - 1993)
Subaru WRX STI VT22r
Subaru WRX ARA24 Rally Car
Rally Cars Cont.
Subaru Impreza 555 (1993 - 1996)
Subaru Impreza WRC97 (1997)
Subaru Impreza WRC98 (1998)
Subaru Impreza WRC99 (1999)
Subaru Impreza WRC2000 (2000)
Subaru Impreza WRC2000 (2000)
Subaru Impreza WRC2001 (2001)
Subaru Impreza WRC2002 (2002)
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 (2003)
Subaru Impreza WRC2004 (2004)
Subaru Impreza WRC2005 (2005)
Subaru Impreza WRC2006 (2006)
Subaru Impreza WRC2007 (2007)
Subaru Impreza WRC2008 (2008)
Global Rallycross
Subaru Impreza GR WRX STI (2011 - 2021)
Super GT
Subaru Impreza WRX STI (GT300) (2005 - 2008)
Subaru Legacy B4 (GT300) (2009 - 2011)
Subaru BRZ GT300 (GT300) (2012 - 2016)
Subaru BRZ R&D Sport (GT300) (2017 - 2020)
Subaru BRZ GT300 (ZD8) (2021 - 2024)
JGTC
Subaru Impreza WRX STi (JAF-GT) (1997 - 2001)
Subaru Impreza WRX STi (JAF-GT) (2002 - 2004)
Our Favorite Subaru Race Car Images
Subaru didn't mess around when it comes to outrageous rally-bred race cars.
Best Subaru Race Cars Ever Created
We Pick The Four Greatest Subaru Race Cars
From the dirt-spraying glory of the World Rally Championship to the precision and speed of circuit racing, these top four Subaru race cars represent the zenith of the brand's commitment to excellence in competitive racing. We delve into each model's unique attributes, the technological advancements they introduced, and the legendary races they dominated. This guide is a tribute to the power, performance, and legacy of Subaru's racing endeavors, crafted for enthusiasts who appreciate the fusion of innovation and competition. Join us as we explore these monumental machines and the moments they created that are forever etched in the annals of motorsport history. Obviously this list of the best Subaru race cars is heavily weighted towards tallying. With a record of six WRC titles in eight years – three constructors ’95-’97 and three drivers’, ‘95 (McRae), 2001 (Burns), 2003 (Solberg) – perhaps the most iconic WRC livery of the 1990s and drivers like Colin McRae, Carlos Sainz and Petter Solberg mean that the saloon-shaped version of the Impreza is one of the most famous WRC cars of all time. The Impreza has won a total of 162 championships around the world, from the Finnish title to the Lebanese and beyond. Let's dig in.
1. 1993 - 1996 Subaru Impreza 555
A legendary rally car that dominated the World Rally Championship
Why Is This The Best Subaru Race Car?
Ask any motorsports fan to name one car that is synonymous with the rally sport, and the Subaru Impreza 555 will surely be among the top five, if not number one.
It is also the car with which Colin McRae won his first, and only, drivers’ world championship in 1995 at age 27. This made him the youngest competitor ever, and also the first Briton to achieve this.
The Impreza story began in 1992 when the first-generation WRX 4WD road car was revealed. Before the Impreza, Subaru used two other models in world rallies – the Leone and the Legacy. The Impreza was essentially a replacement for the Leone, and being smaller than the Legacy, it had the potential to be a more successful car.
For the 1993 World Rally Championship (WRC) season the Subaru team introduced a distinctive blue-with-yellow colour scheme. It was a reference to its sponsorship deal with State Express 555, a cigarette brand from British American Tobacco (BAT), and the team opted to name their competition model the 555. This colour scheme has been iconic in the minds of Subaru fans ever since.
The new Impreza 555 debuted late in 1993 with Ari Vatanen finishing second in the car’s inaugural race at Finland’s 1000 Lakes Rally. The 1994 car was similar in specification to the ’93 model but used Pirelli tyres and featured a cockpit-adjustable hydraulic front differential, and later a fully active centre differential.
Carlos Sainz joined Subaru to partner McRae for a full World Rally programme in 1994, and the Spaniard achieved the first outright win with the Impreza 555 on the ’94 Acropolis Rally. This was followed by five more victories in the WRC and Asia-Pacific Championship, and Subaru ended the year as runners-up in the manufacturer’s championship.
The year 1995 was to be the team’s turnaround. McCrae and Sainz dominated the season, taking victories at the Catalunya Rally, Rally of New Zealand and Portugal Rally. At the last event, the RAC Rally of Great Britain, the Scotsman clinched the Drivers’ World Rally Championship title.
This set the pace for another manufacturers championship in 1996 with the 555, but McRae lost the drivers’ championship to Tommi Makinen. An entirely new set of regulations forced Subaru to release the wide-bodied WRC97 for subsequent seasons.
2. 1997 Subaru Impreza S3 WRC
Debut season that secured Subaru's second consecutive Championship title.
Why Is This The Best Subaru Race Car?
Subaru Impreza WRC was the first World Rally Car, design of which rumoredly began even before FIA approved WRC rules.
The Subaru Impreza S3 WRC and Colin McRae are the dynamic duo of rally racing. Forging one of the most iconic partnerships in World Rally Championship history, they would go on to become the darlings and most recognized figures of the sport. As a replacement for the Impreza 555, the S3 WRC was created for the 1997 season, which coincided with the FIA overhauling the rules and formatting for the new stage of World Rally Car competition.
Across the board, teams were allowed more design freedom and less restrictions when it came to matters such vehicle width, suspension geometry, aerodynamics, intercooler capacity and engine modifications. Amongst the host of notable redesigns, were new camshafts, cylinder ports and combustion chambers. The 310 bhp, 367 lb-ft of torque, 2,712 lbs rally machine was ready for its new master.
Many people believe that the 1997 Subaru Impreza S3 WRX was Impreza at its peak, while others believe it was Subaru at its peak, and still others believe it was rally cars at their peak.
It contested 14 rallies and won outright 8 times. Wow.
3. Subaru Legacy Group A
Success in Group A was instrumental in advancing tech developments.
Why Is This The Best Subaru Race Car?
Before the Impreza WRX hit super-stardom through Colin McRae’s superhuman efforts in the World Rally Championship, there was the Legacy.
The Subaru Legacy, introduced into the Group A rally category in the early 1990s, marked a pivotal moment in Subaru's motorsports history. This race car not only demonstrated Subaru's engineering prowess but also laid the groundwork for what would become one of the most revered legacies in rally racing. The Group A Subaru Legacy is often celebrated for setting the stage for the subsequent successes of its legendary successor, the Subaru Impreza.
The Group A Subaru Legacy was developed to compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC), adhering to the stringent Group A regulations which required cars to be based on production models. Subaru, taking advantage of its engineering resources, equipped the Legacy with advanced features that were sophisticated for its time.
Central to the Legacy's design was the implementation of Subaru's hallmark symmetrical all-wheel drive system and a powerful turbocharged flat-four engine. This engine configuration, known for its lower center of gravity and balanced weight distribution, was ideal for the demanding conditions of rally racing. The Legacy's chassis was also modified to enhance durability and performance on the diverse terrains encountered in the WRC.
The Subaru Legacy made its WRC debut in 1990 and quickly proved its capabilities. One of its most notable early performances was at the 1990 Safari Rally, one of the most grueling events on the WRC calendar, where the Legacy showed its strength and reliability. However, it was in the 1993 season that the Legacy truly shone, achieving its first WRC victory at the Rally New Zealand. This victory was significant not only as a milestone for Subaru but also for marking the emergence of Colin McRae, who would go on to become one of rally racing's most celebrated drivers.
The Subaru Legacy's success in Group A was instrumental in advancing Subaru's technological developments, particularly in the area of all-wheel-drive systems. The experience gained from tuning and testing the Legacy under the extreme conditions of rally racing directly influenced the development of more sophisticated systems in later models, including the Impreza. Additionally, the Legacy helped to perfect Subaru's approach to turbocharging and engine management systems.
4. Subaru BRZ GT300
Win first-ever Super GT title for Subaru.
Why Is This The Best Subaru Race Car?
Driving the new Subaru BRZ, Takuto Iguchi and Hideki Yamauchi won the GT300 class championships for R&D Sport, giving Subaru their first-ever title in Super GT competition. It was also the first drivers' title for both Iguchi and Yamauchi, and the first for the R&D Sport team.
Super GT, renamed from Japan GT Championship in 2005, is one of the most popular motorsport categories in Japan today. STI teamed up with R&D Sport and started competing in the GT300 class from the 2009 series with the Legacy B4 GT300. Starting from the 2012 series, the team has been competing with the Subaru BRZ GT300. Following the full revamp of the Subaru BRZ, they debuted a new machine this season.*4 Now in their thirteenth year competing in the race, the team won their first-ever series championship.
Masahiro Ozawa, team general manager
“I’m just so relieved that we were able to grab the championship in the inaugural year for our new machine. Although we struggled during the first half of the season, unable to get good results despite having a fast car, I’m glad our teamwork paid off in the end. The final race was highly competitive until the very end, but our drivers held up extremely well.”
