New Impreza WRC Delayed?

Subaru's 2006 World Rally Championship season has been quite difficult so far, the team's Impreza WRC suffering from a lack of performance and reliability problems.

Thankfully, the situation has been gradually improving for the past few months. Last weekend, Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson both had the opportunity to battle for the victory during Rally Australia. Solberg eventually finished in second position.

However, Subaru are hoping to make a big step forward next season: the team wants to win rallies but also fight for both the drivers and constructors' championship titles.

In order to achieve these goals, Subaru will need to put a lot of efforts into the next version of the Impreza WRC. This process might take longer than usual... and the new car might not be ready in time for the start of the 2007 season.

"It's not decided when we will run the new car for the first time," said Subaru World Rally Team Managing Director Richard Taylor to Autosport. "But I'd rather have a car that's 100 per cent right for 13 rallies than 75 per cent right for 16."

Starting the 2007 season with the Impreza WRC 06 is not something Petter Solberg is looking forward to: "I am pissed off about this, and I will be phoning David Richards (Prodrive's boss),” said the Norwegian to Autosport. “I know they need time, but we have to push things on."