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The latest Subaru World Rally Team Member
- Part 1 -
Letter from SWRT
6 January 2006
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| Copyright © STI |
Welcome to part one of a two part Friday feature. This week we introduce you to our new team member, which will be making its debut in Monte Carlo very shortly. Next Friday we'll show you it in its full glory.
The countdown to the Monte Carlo Rally is on, with the Subaru World Rally Team finalising the Subaru Impreza WRC2006 for its official launch in the principality on Wednesday 18 January. But behind the scenes another team car nears completion for its own debut. The B9 Tribeca, the stylish new Subaru seven-seater, will be used by the Subaru rally drivers and management on all European WRC events, starting with Monte Carlo.
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| Copyright © STI |
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| Copyright © STI |
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| Copyright © STI |
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The B9 Tribeca had already come a long way before it arrived at the Subaru World Rally team HQ in Banbury for its finishing touches. Initial sketches were made in Japan in 2002, with the final production model launched in the United States in 2005. Equipped with Subaru's trademark boxer engine and All-Wheel Drive transmission, the B9 Tribeca has plenty in common with the rally cars it will work alongside.
Keith Murray, Subaru World Rally Team fleet logistics manager explained how the Subaru team's car subsequently arrived in the UK: "Our B9 Tribeca came originally from the United States. It was shipped to Brussels in December 2005 and then brought to the team headquarters for pre-season preparations."
On arrival in Banbury the car was taken straight to the Subaru paint shop for preparation. Before able to enter active service the B9 Tribeca had to be specially customised with the characteristic metallic blue and yellow colour of the World Rally cars. The four door panels and wing mirrors were carefully removed for painting, whilst the bonnet, windshields and tyres were covered with protective covering before spraying and drying. The panels and other removed parts were then painted separately before the car was reassembled and the finishing touches, including the team decal kit, applied. Not a simple task as you'll see from the photos.
Only available in North America at present, the team's Tribeca will be the first model to be used in the UK and one of the first to be driven across Europe when a Subaru technician drives it down to Monte Carlo for the rally. At the end of the rally the car will be freighted back to the UK to be shipped to Sweden for the rally at the beginning of February. The B9Tribeca will be launched in Europe in the autumn.
We'll show you the finished version next week.
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2006
2005