Prodrive to develop WRX STi-based supercar?

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Mr Kleen
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Prodrive to develop WRX STi-based supercar?

Post by Mr Kleen »

Prodrive to develop WRX STi-based supercar?
May 19, 2005
by Justin Couture / American Auto Press


Redefining The Supercar Industry

Prodrive, a self-made automotive specialist firm from Banbury, England describes itself as "one of the worlds leading motorsport and automotive groups." You probably havent heard of them unless you have your nose buried deep into FIA-sanctioned motorsports, such as Formula One, World Rally Championships, FIA-GT and World Touring Car Championships. But even then, Prodrive isnt a household name as they dont so much make the racing cars, as they develop them with high-end manufacturers. With global offices, hundreds of employees trained in automotive design, automotive engineering, testing and many other critical areas, they are essentially full-out car company thats yet to produce their own vehicle.

Perhaps you havent heard of Prodrive, but most automotive enthusiasts will instantly recognize some of the products that theyve worked on. The list is lengthy, but it includes the likes of the BAR-Honda F1 car, the Ferrari 550 Maranello GT, and the Aston Martin DB9 R-GT just to name a few. However, Prodrives strongest link is to Subaru: they have helped the Japanese firm conquer the globe with the supercar-slaying WRX STi rally car. Prodrive also sells modification and upgrade components for the WRX STi, and even produced a limited run PPP (Prodrive Performance Pack) version of it, hailed to be one of the best in-house tuned variants to date for its balance of performance, agility and handling.

With the know-how and the capabilities from helping other build their own cars, Prodrive has put into motion a project which will redefine the supercar. Code-named P2, it is a two-door, hardtop performance machine constructed from Impreza WRX STi hardware which puts driving finesse, performance and agility as its highest priorities. Inspiration for the car seemingly comes from World Rallys earlier days, where mid-engined, rally-bred supercars such as the 70s Lancia Stratos and the 80s "Killer B" Lancia 037 Stradale and Ford RS200 models that dominated the scene with their heroic power and brutally quick performance.

One critical area where the Prodrive will differ from the Ford and Lancias is that the P2 is not a homologation vehicle. The Stratos, 037 and the RS200 were essentially road-going racecars, complete with radically modified structures, race-grade engines and transmissions and as a result, they were as expensive as the real race cars. Because the P2 is being developed with readily available components which are already featured in a mass-produced vehicle, the P2 would not only have a reasonable price tag thats estimated to be £40,000 (equivalent to $74,000, though £40k is Boxster/Z4/SLK money, making a more reasonable conversion $50,000), but could be driven every day and serviced with ease.

The most astonishing thing about the P2 is its size. The vehicle is far smaller than any other supercar weve seen in modern times, and its comparable in length to most B-Segment vehicles, such as the Chevy Aveo hatchback at around 157 inches long. This tiny machine also has a target weight of around 2,200 pounds, which makes it incredibly light as well. From the sketches, the P2 follows all the typical supercar layout traits, including a stretched wheelbase with short overhangs, a wide track, and a low centre of gravity.

Autocar magazine reports that the P2 will carry a hefty number of Subarus own components, revised to work in a mid-engined layout. The P2 will be powered by the Japanese version of the STIs engine - namely, the 2.0-liter horizontally opposed boxer turbo four, but modified to include Prodrives new anti-lag turbo system. The expected output is in excess of 300 horsepower, and close to 300 lb-ft of torque. The engine will most likely be mated to the STis six-speed manual gearbox. Other Subaru-sourced parts include the majority of the symmetrical all wheel drive system (differentials, torque splitters, etc.) as well as the suspension, steering components and brakes.

With all wheel drive, a quick-spooling lag-free turbo and a curb weight of 1000 kg (2200 lbs), the performance potential of the P2 is fearful. The dash to 60 mph should be nudging the four second barrier, making it as quick as Ferraris new F430, Lamborghinis Gallardo and the upcoming Porsche 911 Turbo. At the same time, the short-ratio gearbox should mean that the pull will be as strong as speed picks up; it wont fizzle or fade out like the equivalently sized, but much less powerful Lotus Exige S2. The projected top speed is 160 mph. The P2 will also be a much more nimble and tossable machine than any of the aforementioned supercars (Exige aside); its compact dimension as well as its near perfect weight distribution (note the side-mounted radiators) and will feature Prodrives new stability control system.

As exciting as the notion of such a vehicle is, the yet-to-be named Project P2 is a more of a demonstration vehicle. It shows Prodrives capacity to engineer and design its own vehicles and technologies, as well as their flexibility as a developer. The project in its current state is just three months underway, but the firm is pushing hard for a completion date by years end. As it stands right now, there are no plans for production, but with enough positive public response, Prodrive should consider. Its a brilliant idea, and without a doubt would redefine the supercar industry proving that with a little ingenuity and a little sideways thinking that the extraordinary can be achieved.

the P2 is fearful. The dash to 60 mph should be nudging the four second barrier, making it as quick as Ferraris new F430, Lamborghinis Gallardo and the upcoming Porsche 911 Turbo. At the same time, the short-ratio gearbox should mean that the pull will be as strong as speed picks up; it wont fizzle or fade out like the equivalently sized, but much less powerful Lotus Exige S2. The projected top speed is 160 mph. The P2 will also be a much more nimble and tossable machine than any of the aforementioned supercars (Exige aside); its compact dimension as well as its near perfect weight distribution (note the side-mounted radiators) and will feature Prodrives new stability control system.

As exciting as the notion of such a vehicle is, the yet-to-be named Project P2 is a more of a demonstration vehicle. It shows Prodrives capacity to engineer and design its own vehicles and technologies, as well as their flexibility as a developer. The project in its current state is just three months underway, but the firm is pushing hard for a completion date by years end. As it stands right now, there are no plans for production, but with enough positive public response, Prodrive should consider. Its a brilliant idea, and without a doubt would redefine the supercar industry proving that with a little ingenuity and a little sideways thinking that the extraordinary can be achieved.

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ElZorro
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Post by ElZorro »

Damn, please tell me this is true...
Jason "El Zorro" Fox
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DCAWD - old coots in fast scoots.
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Mr Kleen
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Post by Mr Kleen »

yes, it's true: they're thinking about making this car we'll never be able to afford. :twisted:
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complacent
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Post by complacent »

i am now taking donations via paypal if anyone would like to contribute. i will be sure to provide a very thoughtful thank you note upon purchase of above vehicle.

tia,
colin

a tank, a yammie, a spaceship
i <3 teh 00ntz
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Sabre
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Post by Sabre »

^^^^ Only way I'm contributing is if I get it for half the week ;)


Sounds like ALOT of fun though....
Sabre (Julian)
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Good choice putting $4,000 rims on your 1990 Honda Civic. That's like Betty White going out and getting her tits done.
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Mr Kleen
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Post by Mr Kleen »

hopefully the cost savings realized by using the new Eclipse front clip will be passed on to the consumers. :wink:

not sure about the styling (not bad, just a bit bland) but the mechanicals are right on target, no?
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Sabre
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Post by Sabre »

^^^ Hopefully the cost savings would be passed on, but I'm not holding my breath. BTW, anyone see this?
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More info can be found here
Sabre (Julian)
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92.5% Stock 04 STI
Good choice putting $4,000 rims on your 1990 Honda Civic. That's like Betty White going out and getting her tits done.
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