Re: Subey WRX

[Dave Eaton <dave.eaton@minedu.govt.nz>]

all these "post group a" cars have serious potential.  the arrival of the wrc
cars lessens this potential somewhat because the manufacturers are freed from
the homologation requirements (5,000 off) that group "a" enforced.  the subaru
wrx is a case in point.  the wrc car is significantly different from the old
wrx (group "a") car, and hence the detuned car that you can purchase.  the wrx
is disappointing to drive on the road.  it's laggy and relatively slow.  my 20v
ur-q would eat it.  it's also relatively poorly built and disappointing inside
(worse than a bmw 3 series).

misubishi however, have persevered this year with their group "a" car, and so
are selling it's derivative to the public.  the lancer evo 4 is a seriously
quick car (not as quick as an rs2 though).  stats are 2 litre turbo, 205kw
(thats 280hp), 353nm (260lb ft) torque (@3,000rpm).  we're not talking about a
lot of turbo lag here..

what you don't get with these cars are group "a" brakes, suspension, diffs or
gearboxes.  you do get the basics of the motor (without the tricks).

i hope to get a drive of one (lancer evo 4) shortly....

-dave
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q

>
>Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 13:41:10 -0700
>From: Mark Nelson <mnelson@brls.com>
>
>So has anybody else looked at some of the stats on that Subaru WRX?
>Maybe one of our European/New Zealander listers has driven one??
>
>I've been reading the stats, and I have to admit, from what I've read,
>that those are d#&* impressive little cars!!  217HP at 6000 RPM stock
>out of that 2.0L Turbo motor!  I was reading about a car in Australia
>that one guy has, who has done some very minor tweaking with the turbo,
>chip, exhaust, etc., and has got the 0-62 mph time on the car down to
>5.3 seconds!  You can check out the pictures and stats on the car at
>http://raid.comtech.com.au/OtherWeb/markb/index.htm
>
>I'd have to admit, depending on price of course, that I would be *very*
>tempted to buy one of these cars if they come stateside, which it is
>rumored Subaru might do.  Considering the WRX 555 rally car (Last year)
>makes 330HP with a 34 mm restrictor, I wouldn't doubt that you could get
>some serious power out of one these cars.  Hmmmm...what do you all
>think?  BTW, I'm not trying to start a flame war here =).
>
>Best Regards,
>
>Mark Nelson