Subaru: New Impreza not a radical change.

Subaru World Rally Team manufacturer principal, Shigeo Sugaya has said that the new Impreza WRC2007 does not represent a 'radical change', more a number of 'small evolutions'.

The team, which has already dispatched the new cars for Mexico, the next round in the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship, added that the collaboration between the two bases in Japan and the UK has been very successful, a message reiterated by Sugaya.

"The collaboration between Subaru in Japan and England has worked extremely well to deliver the WRC2007 in a very short timeframe. Last autumn, engineers in Japan and England shared the idea before actual work started on both sides. Then development work was initiated as a joint project between the two teams," he explained.

"Our engineers in Japan are responsible for two main areas: the first is designing the bodyshell, including aerodynamics, and the other is improving the power unit. The engine itself contributes to further improving drivability in the middle to low speed range, which worked effectively in the Impreza WRC2006. As with previous designs, the engine is an all-aluminium construction, but the further use of light-weight materials means it is even lighter than before.

"On top of that, we work very closely with the Subaru World Rally Team engineers on specific projects and offer general support as and when it is needed. We also set up smaller groups including engineers from both Japan and England to develop areas such as the suspension or aerodynamics. The groups communicate directly, while my role is to oversee the success of each project.

"The WRC2007 does not represent a radical change for the team, instead we have made small evolutions in several areas."

Whether or not the new car will be a success on the stages remains to be seen, but it is clear the outfit will now be hoping for better after a turbulent 2006.