For some reason I'm fearful of posting in the 'news and rumour' forum, but here goes. WRC.com has an article about Solberg's initial impressions of the new WRC car. He doesn't say anything about any possible stylistic changes, but perhaps the new corporate nose has him speechless :D

The article from WRC.com:

2003 world champion Petter Solberg has talked for the first time about the car that he hopes will deliver him his second world title. The Norwegian tested the 2005-specification Subaru Impreza WRC - which is set to get its competitive debut on next month's Corona Rally Mexico - for three days in Sardinia last week.

Although Subaru has not talked officially about the new car, it is understood to feature a new roll-cage and wider suspension track - allowed under new rules for 2005 - as well as improvements to the engine and turbocharger. Modifications to the transmission and hydraulics have been limited, as these are likely to be areas in which less development is allowed for 2006 under new cost-cutting regulations.

"The chassis and stuff like that I'm pleased with," Solberg told Motorsport News after his first taste of the car late last week. "The guys have done a really good job. Now we will see if it comes up to expectations on the rally. I still have to work on small details, but most of the car is there."

Only Peugeot and Mitsubishi have so far unveiled totally-new cars for the 2005 season. Reigning champion Citroen and current championship leader Ford will use modified versions of last year's car, while Skoda is set to unveil an Evo 2 version of its Skoda Fabia WRC alongside the new Subaru in Mexico.

Here's another PS quote about the new car, taken from AutoWeek's review of Rally Sweeden:

"....I'm confident it will be one of the biggest steps forward we ever take. I think everyone can expect quite a surprise."

oh the anticipation.... the suspence...its killing me :lol:

the article says the new car has a wider track and new roll cage thats a positive sign :)

Is it just me, or is every year's car "the most significant change" they've ever made?

No, several times they have said, "ok last time we made the massive changes, now this year we will take this and make it that little bit faster, and that much more relaible"

oh jesus christ

http://www.swrt.com/cpimages/689122.jpg

That blurred out thing is the new car. Can't tell much from the rear, but it's fairly obvious it's the old shell.

we'll find out something soon - the Rally Mexico is only 2 weeks away

ARTICLE 2 : HOMOLOGATION
At least 2,500 identical examples of these cars must have been
manufactured in 12 consecutive months.
All homologations valid for Group N are valid for Group A.

http://www.fia.com/resources/documents/2026632404__AppJ_2004_Art_255.pdf

we'll find out something soon - the Rally Mexico is only 2 weeks away

The WRC car is being lauched Monday 2/28/05.

if anything is probably mechanical & electronic changes same shell etc

hopefully they have resolved the watersplash problem they had last season too

if anything is probably mechanical & electronic changes same shell etc

hopefully they have resolved the watersplash problem they had last season too

Yea. I want to see a watersplash fix, and more power. The wider track should certainly help, as well as make the car look a bit more aggressive, especially in Tarmac trim. :D

oh jesus christ

http://www.swrt.com/cpimages/689122.jpg

That blurred out thing is the new car. Can't tell much from the rear, but it's fairly obvious it's the old shell.
You mean that car that was pasted there in Photoshop? Yes, it's blurry, but it's not blurry with the background. It's got a very lumpy roof and a rear spoiler that would cut glass. I have no idea if we'll see a major change or not, but it's very interesting to see a fake shot on the SWRT website.

You mean that car that was pasted there in Photoshop? Yes, it's blurry, but it's not blurry with the background. It's got a very lumpy roof and a rear spoiler that would cut glass. I have no idea if we'll see a major change or not, but it's very interesting to see a fake shot on the SWRT website.

That's not fake. Do you honestly expect them to A) unveil ANY aspect of the car prior to release, and B) fake a shot on their website? Please.

The lumpy roof is from the crappy blurring job, and the "sharp" spoiler is just a result of the area the blurring filter was applied to being square.

You people kill me. "OMG, they blurred the car out, so that means it's gotta be fake!" :rolleyes:

[EDIT] No KIDDING it's not blurry with the background, they wanted to mask the CAR, not the whole damn studio.
http://www.swrt.com/687717.html

Jewbaru i gotta disagree.. the tailights look like the 02-03 imprezas.. it looks like the 02-03 MY

the pic was from swrt site ...talking about how they went to take the new pics of the 05 WRC Car ...

i'm sure if we check on swrt.com on the 28th or the 1st we'll see new pics of 05 WRC Car

btw rotflmao..at the assumption that the soft pic on swrt website is faked or chopped :lol:

some of u def need to wake up n smell the coffee!

Weasel is with me here. :)

Only:
It's not an 02-03. Read the article, those were taken when the car was being shot for it's launch.

exactly they were talkin about the "Photo Shoot" as opposed to the car thass why there pics of the photog /studio etc and saying 'eat yer heart out Kate Moss" :p

Hey, let's step into the Way Back machine for last year's press release ...

New Impreza WRC2004 Set to Break Cover in Mexico (http://www.swrt.com/487826.html)

-Dennis

That's not fake. Do you honestly expect them to A) unveil ANY aspect of the car prior to release, and B) fake a shot on their website? Please.[/url]
Then please explain to me how Subaru engineered a spot light power cable into the WRC car, because it obviously falls behind it. The squared off spoiler is another tell-tale sign.
http://www.bellsouthpwp.net/j/o/jordanad/fake.jpg

Good eye with the cable. It is a photoshop. Whether that means the new car will have a facelift I'm not so sure.

look no new car (as in body shape/style as in the pics we keep seeing here from jpn magazines) :p

OF COURSE ITS A PHOTOSHOP!!!

Do you honestly think that there is a camera out there that can magicly blur only one object in the picture, regardless of distance or other objects?

OMG how did you take a picture with the floaty red oval and the cord missing!!!!

To tell you the truth, I don't know a thing about photoshopping. I have no idea what is possible and what is not. Either way i guess it really doesn't matter. Whether it's a photoshop or not, it doesn't say a thing about the new WRC car. So for those people that get way too worked up about about a message board, here's a dancing banana...
:banana:

This thread is very amusing.. :D

hmmm interesting :

http://www.swrt.com/687717.html


Once in the studio, the car was positioned in a huge white infinity curve, which instantly removed any idea of distance around it. “The infinity curve is like being inside an eggshell,” explained Rob Wyatt, the photographer. “It’s a wrap-a-round, white cove which tricks the eye and makes the area seem larger than it is.” Any grey areas on the white canvas were scrupulously touched up, while the Impreza was polished and preened under the studio’s huge lights, which illuminated its many new features.

this has to mean exterior features... makes you wonder, i think these "changes" are probably only applicable to the WRC car ... but you never know

I'm tempted to think it just illuminated it's new rear spoiler

this has to mean exterior features... makes you wonder, i think these "changes" are probably only applicable to the WRC car ... but you never knowYeah, like the new decals and stickers.

Then please explain to me how Subaru engineered a spot light power cable into the WRC car, because it obviously falls behind it. The squared off spoiler is another tell-tale sign.
http://www.bellsouthpwp.net/j/o/jordanad/fake.jpg

Look. There was a blur filter applied to the car to conceal it. If you're so sharp with the details, you'd notice that. The squared off spoiler is obviously because they used a square selection tool when they were blurring the car.

I have a question for the conspiracy theorists. If the person who "faked" that photo was sloppy enough to forget to keep the cable in the foreground as you say, how come the shadows of the car are so accurate?

Oh, they're not saying it isn't a studio shot, but just that car and that picture don't fir together. BTW, nice blur line down next to the white board piece on the left. :p It's most certainly a photoshop.

And actually, I would step out on a limb here, say the car was the base photograph and the other elements were added in on top layers.

Maybe we've been seeing the next car already with development shots...
http://www.swrt.com/cpimages/662462.jpg

This was the 2004 WRC car...
http://www.swrt.com/cpimages/488463.jpg

For some reason the testing photo looks a little different. Lack of roof vents, front looks like it might be a *hair* different, rear wing looks like it might be a *touch* bigger, no front grille badge, new lower dam guarding, that's all that looks different to me from those photos.

Just for reference, here was the latest car in Sweden (event 2)
http://www.swrt.com/cpimages/687587.jpg

Does anyone know what time the car is suppose to be unvailed on monday?
I really hope its soon I cant stand the wait much longer!!!!

'05 WRC Car (http://www.swrt.com/74331.html)

yowsers...that engine show is money

http://www.swrt.com/cpimages/689464.jpg

Oh, they're not saying it isn't a studio shot, but just that car and that picture don't fir together. BTW, nice blur line down next to the white board piece on the left. :p It's most certainly a photoshop.

Of course it's chopped, they blurred out the car. :P

They did miss a spot, the license plate next to the light stand.

'05 WRC Car (http://www.swrt.com/74331.html)


*sigh* wasn't there supposed to be a redesign this year?

*sigh* wasn't there supposed to be a redesign this year?

No. There were a bunch of people who thought there was (supposed to be a re-skined WRC Impreza), but they had no evidence to support their claims.

keep waiting for couple years, hopefully...

I'm getting very confused.......I thought the unsubstantiated rumour was that the JDM Impreza-line will get a major facelift/redesign later this year (Fall-time?). The hope was that the JDM lauch and USDM launch would coincide this time around and that we might see the new STi over here towards the end of the year. The photo-chops from Auto-Express and the JDM mags etc. floating around supposedly show the re-design. The hope was that the WRC2005 car would reveal some elements of this forthcoming restyle; obviously not. So, I wonder what the 2006MY STi will have in store for us in the way of upgrades/changes (if any ?).....I suppose we'll have to wait and see ;)

that means we're gonna be stuck with the current design for a long time :( maybe another 2 years???

*sigh* wasn't there supposed to be a redesign this year?No. There were a bunch of people who thought there was, but they had no evidence to support their claims.Actually, most knowledgeable people here KNOW there'll be a redesigned Impreza sold in the US this year, because that's what SOA execs are telling everyone.

Here'a quote by Bill Cyphers, SOA VP - Sales, from a memo to dealers sent on Jan 4 of this year and reproduced at http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=693459:Now it is on to 2005! With the launch of the all new B9-Tribeca in May, a full year of the new Legacy, a redesigned Forester and Impreza, we stand poised for another record sales year, and our 9th year over year gain in ten years. It is a great time to be part of the Subaru team.

Here's a quote by Fred Adcock, SOA Executive VP, from an interview published by Ward's Automotive on Jan 10 of this year at http://subscribers.wardsauto.com/microsites/Newsarticle.asp?newsarticleid=2737586&srid=10088&instanceid=55202&pageid=9616&magazineid=1004&siteid=26: Subaru’s sales in 2005 also should benefit from an updated Impreza, Adcock says. Deliveries of the aging sedan, which is due to undergo a facelift this summer, declined 11.8% in 2004 vs. 2003.

']Actually, most knowledgeable people here KNOW there'll be a redesigned Impreza sold in the US this year, because that's what SOA execs are telling everyone.

Here'a quote by Bill Cyphers, SOA VP - Sales, from a memo to dealers sent on Jan 4 of this year and reproduced at http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=693459:

Here's a quote by Fred Adcock, SOA Executive VP, from an interview published by Ward's Automotive on Jan 10 of this year at http://subscribers.wardsauto.com/microsites/Newsarticle.asp?newsarticleid=2737586&srid=10088&instanceid=55202&pageid=9616&magazineid=1004&siteid=26:

Right, but I am pretty sure that the new road car has to debut before the WRC skin can change, hence why I felt the WRCar was not going to have a redesigned face in Mexico.

Right, but I am pretty sure that the new road car has to debut before the WRC skin can change, hence why I felt the WRCar was not going to have a redesigned face in Mexico.

And you were correct. :)

I'm honestly a bit skeptical of a redesign hitting US shores this year, because we're notoriously behind the curve. However, Subaru is finally paying attention to the US, so we may see something before the others for a change (like the 2.5L STi).

Guess we'll just have to keep hyper analyzing documents, staring at photochops, and arguing rumors untill we hear the official word.

And you were correct. :)No, he was absolutely in left field. His post said that those who expect a redesigned Impreza this year have no "evidence to support their claims". I cited two very high-level SOA execs who've provided that "evidence."

']No, he was absolutely in left field. His post said that those who expect a redesigned Impreza this year have no "evidence to support their claims". I cited two very high-level SOA execs who've provided that "evidence."

Right, but I am pretty sure that the new road car has to debut before the WRC skin can change, hence why I felt the WRCar was not going to have a redesigned face in Mexico.

Maybe my english is rusty, but I can't see what you're suggesting in what I quoted. I'm reading the thread flow, and it looks like it's sticking to the WRC car, NOT the production car.

How about you stop trying to hate on me, and read what I'm quoting instead.

Maybe my english is rusty, but I can't see what you're suggesting in what I quoted. I'm reading the thread flow, ...The thread flow was:
nKoan says, in effect: those who expect a redesigned Impreza this year have no "evidence to support their claims;"
I rebut that;
nKoan backtracks;
Jewbaru says nKoan was right;
I say nKoan was wrong.

']The thread flow was:
nKoan says, in effect: those who expect a redesigned Impreza this year have no "evidence to support their claims;"
I rebut that;
nKoan backtracks;
Jewbaru says nKoan was right;
I say nKoan was wrong.

You left out a few parts.

Weasel posts new pics of 2005 WRC car

CYC comments asking about a new look this year, in reply to WRC car

nKoan says there was no redesign of said car, in reply to CYC

You comment on what SOA officials say

nKoan says you are correct, then comments how the redesigned road car must be released prior to the redesign hitting the WRC skin, hence why he didn't feel a redesign would appear in Mexico.

I mention nKoan's last point was 100% correct.

You fly in from left field to say he was wrong.

Here we are. :devil:

I interpreted nKoan as referring strictly about the WRC car. You want to speculate, be my guest, I'll just wait for him to post and clarify.

I was originally refering to a WRC re-skin to debut at Mexico. I may have misunderstood CyC, but I though he was sad (:() about not having re-skined WRCar in Mexico.

I never backtracked on that, because I was only talking about the WR Car. The only time I was ever *thinking* about the production version was when I said it should debut before the WR Car.

I was originally refering to a WRC re-skin to debut at Mexico. I may have misunderstood CyC, but I though he was sad (:() about not having re-skined WRCar in Mexico.

I never backtracked on that, because I was only talking about the WR Car. The only time I was ever *thinking* about the production version was when I said it should debut before the WR Car.

Gratci... that's what I thought you meant. :)

Ah, yeah, thanks, nKoan, for editting your post to "clairfy" the issue. :(
Here's what I originally saw:*sigh* wasn't there supposed to be a redesign this year?

No. There were a bunch of people who thought there was, but they had no evidence to support their claims.
keep waiting for couple years, hopefully...
I'm getting very confused.......I thought the unsubstantiated rumour was that the JDM Impreza-line will get a major facelift/redesign later this year (Fall-time?). The hope was that the JDM lauch and USDM launch would coincide this time around and that we might see the new STi over here towards the end of the year. The photo-chops from Auto-Express and the JDM mags etc. floating around supposedly show the re-design. The hope was that the WRC2005 car would reveal some elements of this forthcoming restyle; obviously not. So, I wonder what the 2006MY STi will have in store for us in the way of upgrades/changes (if any ?).....I suppose we'll have to wait and see ;)
that means we're gonna be stuck with the current design for a long time :( maybe another 2 years???
Yes, I presumed these remarks were all related to future Subaru production/road Imprezas, not WRC200x race cars. Who, reading this forum, wouldn't?

']
Yes, I presumed these remarks were all related to future Subaru production/road Imprezas, not WRC200x race cars. Who, reading this forum, wouldn't?

Yeah, in a thread about the WR Car, I was really refering to a potential future production car :rolleyes:

I realize this forum isn't Motorsports and that more people are interested in the Production Car versus the Rally Car in general, but this specific thread is about the Rally Car (I'd think that would clue you in). The only comment in the first post about a possible production car redesign was that these comments by Solberg didn't talk about a redesign.

Furthermore, not only is the original thread only about the WR Car, but also the comment that kicked off this discussion was:
'05 WRC Car (http://www.swrt.com/74331.html)

followed with (not started by...):

*sigh* wasn't there supposed to be a redesign this year?

Now, I admit that I might have misinterpreted this absence of contentedness to be regarding the WR Car, not the production car. In retrospect, it is unclear either way, but since the whole thread is about the WR Car, I assumed this comment was as well.

wow what did i miss here ??
i thought it was all about the WRC 05 impreza ...and peeps thinkin it was gonna be a "new" designed (i.e.06/07 impreza) ...which is laughable ;)

in short if and when subaru do make the next gen impreza...thats when prodrive will get the shells to start work on the "new" WRC car...

which i predict will either be at end of wrc 05 season or by first quarter of 06(depending on when jpn releases "new" car on the ever unsuspecting world)

The '04 design was debuted to the public on the '03 WRC car. It's not laughable.

What's laughable are all the jerks who come out of the woodwork to call everyone [who entertained the notion that we'd see a new Impreza] an idiot after the photos were released... especially when most of the people they're chiding were saying that they doubted any changes were on the way.. but that it would be cool if there were.

Fact is.. nobody here knew what suprises the 2005 WRC car would reveal until the information was officially released... but for some reason a few jerks are still dancing around thumbing their noses at people for no good reason. All we knew for sure was that the photo on SWRT.com had been suspiciously photoshopped.

wow I didn't mean to cause so much trouble
I thought that if the impreza was going to have a major redesign this year, we'd see it in the rally car first. It almost seems that if the rally car is relatively the same, then we can't expect more than a new set of headlights on the redesigned 06 impreza. I hope I'm wrong... but it would almost be nice if Subaru designed their rally cars first, and street cars based from them instead of the other way around...

This thread is GHEY.