Prodrive unveils new GpN Impreza.

Prodrive, the company that runs the Subaru World Rally Team, launched its all-new Subaru Impreza Group N car for 2006, the N12 last week, prior to the Wales Rally GB.

David Richards, WRC boss and chairman of Prodrive, was at launch, which took place in Cardiff.

"The car features many performance enhancements over the current 2005 model, the N11," read a statement from Prodrive.

"Engine power and torque output are up, thanks to an increase in turbo boost, while the car has aerodynamic improvements as a result of the base car's face lift and changes to the rear spoiler and air diffuser."

In the last three years, the Impreza has become the most competitive car in the Group N class, winning the Production Car World Rally Championship in 2003 and 2004 and currently the Imprezas lie first, second and third in the 2005 PCWRC, as well as occupying eight of the top ten positions.

Last year, Prodrive Group N customers also won national Group N championships across the world in Russia, Italy, Turkey, Ireland, Poland, Slovenia, Estonia and South Africa. This year they have already secured the Middle East and Slovenian Rally Championships for the second seasons in succession.

"Just four years ago, Prodrive was manufacturing less than ten Group N cars a year, in 2005 the company has made more than 40 international specification N11s and sold a further 20 base cars for conversion," added a statement from the company.

"Prodrive's target is to produce a similar number of N12s for 2006, which will bring the total to more than 200 that it has sold."

Following development work on the first prototype N12, the first customer cars are now scheduled to be delivered in December, with Prodrive and Subaru working towards a homologation date of January 2006.

Left hand drive conversion kits will also once again be available.