subaru

Subaru Corporation (formerly Fuji Heavy Industries) is a Japanese automobile manufacturer founded in 1953 and headquartered in Tokyo. The brand is known for its use of boxer engines and its Symmetrical AWD all-wheel-drive system, which became its hallmark both on the road and in motorsport. In rallying, Subaru is one of the most iconic names of the 1990s and 2000s, thanks to its strong presence in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
Subaru’s first rally efforts came in the 1970s, when models like the Subaru Leone entered international events such as the Safari Rally in Kenya, proving robust even if not yet on par with European rivals.
The breakthrough came in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Subaru established the Subaru World Rally Team (SWRT) in partnership with British outfit Prodrive, led by David Richards. The first car of this era was the Subaru Legacy RS, with which Colin McRae began to rise to prominence. This project paved the way for the car that would become legendary: the Subaru Impreza.
With the launch of the Subaru Impreza 555 in 1993, the brand became a dominant force. Painted in the iconic blue and yellow 555 livery, the Impreza turned into a rallying icon. Subaru won three consecutive manufacturers’ titles in the WRC (1995, 1996, 1997), while Colin McRae clinched the 1995 drivers’ championship. Later, Richard Burns (2001) and Petter Solberg (2003) added further world titles for the brand.
The Impreza WRC evolved through several generations (1997, 2001, 2003, 2006), always featuring turbocharged boxer engines and all-wheel drive, and became famous for its battles against Mitsubishi, Toyota, Ford, and Peugeot.
In 2008, Subaru officially withdrew from the WRC due to the global financial crisis and strategic changes. Nevertheless, its cars remain active in national championships and historic rallies with private teams.
Subaru’s rallying history is defined by its partnership with Prodrive, dominance in the 1990s and early 2000s, and the iconic blue and yellow Impreza. With Colin McRae, Richard Burns, and Petter Solberg, Subaru not only won world titles but also became a true WRC legend.