Subaru WRX STI RB320

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12-28-2006, 10:38 AM

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Subaru WRX STI RB320

Subaru WRX STI RB320
The UK gets yet another limited-edition Subaru Impreza STI that we'll never see.
by Justin Kaehler

November 27, 2006 - Subaru UK has recently unveiled its latest limited-edition WRX STI - the RB320, and this one is a little more special than most limited-edition road-ready rally cars.

The "RB" in "RB320" stands for "Richard Burns", the Subaru rally ace who tragically died last year of brain cancer at the young age of 34. Burns started rallying professionally in 1994, joined the Subaru team in 1999 and eventually won the FIA World Rally Championship Driver's title back in 2001. Burns' win of the Driver's title was notable not only for the fact that he beat out legendary drivers Colin McRae and Tommi Makinen, but also for the fact that Burns was the first-ever Englishman to win the title. To say that Burns is nothing less than a driving hero in the UK would be an understatement.

Burns then jumped over to Citroen in 2002. Burns had an "okay" season with Citroen during the 2002-2003 seasons, but plans were already underway to have him return to Subaru in '04. However, Burns blacked out en route to the Wales Rally GB in November '03, was hospitalized and eventually diagnosed with a brain tumor.

After many rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Burns was thought to be on the road to recovery. However, Burns eventually fell into a coma in November 2005 and passed away on November 25th - exactly four years to the day of his historic WRC win.

Now a year after Burns' death, Subaru UK is offering the RB320 in remembrance of the Rally Hero. Boasting a full ProDrive Performance Pack, this WRX packs £6,000 of goodies onto a car that is only £3,500 more than a standard STI. This WRX gets the "320" part of its name thanks to the 320 PS (duh)... and 332 lb.-ft. of torque. This WRX is now good for 4.8-second 0-60 times. Not bad, eh? The suspension is also upgraded with a set of ProDrive lowering springs, special Bilstein dampers and a revised rear sway bar.

As the RB320 is a special WRX STI, the exterior gets a bit of flash as well. Obsidian Black is the only available color; all cars get the chrome front mesh grilles; the 18-inch rims were designed just for this car as was the front lip spoiler, the side sill plates, exterior and gearshift knob all get special RB320 badges as well.

We don't know how many of these cars are being produced, but we do know that the very first one will be given away at a special Autocar-sponsored raffle. In a good Samaritan move, the proceeds of this raffle will go to the Richard Burns Foundation, which helps those suffering from serious injuries and illness.

http://cars.ign.com/articles/747/747765p1.html