Incredible Subaru Impreza WRX P1 500bhp Fitted With Goodyear Tyres

Article written by Bush Tyres

The Subaru Impreza WRX P1 Defined a Generation of Petrol Heads

The Bush Tyres team in Skegness unfurled the red carpet for the undisputed King of Rallying. The unmistakable sound of her flat four boxer engine filled the tyre bay as this 500bhp Subaru Impreza, a true beast of a car regally manoeuvred into place.  Within seconds the Bush Tyres pit crew were in action removing all four wheels to replace the worn rubber with a full set of Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 tyres.

This Subaru Impreza “P1” is based upon the first-generation VI Impreza. Released in 2000, this was Subaru’s answer to the growing problem of high-power grey imports being brought to the UK from Japan. Subaru UK teamed up with Prodrive in Banbury to produce a limited production run of 1000, 2-door cars. All the cars were painted in this iconic Sonic Blue colour. With higher output than the standard cars available at the time they also featured enhanced suspension, optimised for British roads.

The P1 edition also featured four piston front brake calipers, electric adjustable Recaro seats and larger 18” multi spoke alloy wheels. We can’t talk about a fast Subaru Impreza without talking about world rally car hero, the ‘late-great’ Colin McRae.  McRae drove for Subaru and the Prodrive team from 1993-98. During this time, he helped Subaru win three consecutive manufacturers titles.

This incredible Subaru Impreza has a 2.0L engine with a turbo, in standard form developing 276 bhp. Most examples can produce far more than this, and many owners’ cars, like the Subaru Impreza featured here, have further enhancements to the engine and can produce over 500hp.

The Subaru Impreza P1 delivers power to the road through all four wheels and in standard form these cars are capable of 0-60mph times well under 4.8 seconds and have a top speed of over 150mph. This car will be even quicker!

The way these cars can perform in “real world” scenarios is like no other. With their fantastic driving position and visibility as well as the sheer performance available from the engine and running gear, there are not many faster ways for a mid-afternoon dash to the shops. Then there’s the sound of the Subaru Impreza, the flat four engine produces an exhaust note that is meaty, raw and primeval.

(you may just find yourself forgetting something on purpose!)

Taming All That Power

The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

The Goodyear Eagle F1 “Asymmetric 6” was launched in 2022. The new tyre has been developed for the ultimate in on-road performance. The only tyre  in the range that can deliver more performance is the range topping Eagle F1 Supersport. This puts these Goodyear up against the strong competition from the Michelin Pilot Sport, Pirelli P ZERO or Continental CSC7.

The new Asymmetric 6 has improvements in all areas over the outgoing “Asymmetric 5” with dry performance, wet braking and wet handling all improved. The new lower rolling resistance of the tyre also mean that it is suitable for use on Electric Vehicles (EVs).

In the 2023 Autobild Sports car summer test the tyre came 3^rd from 13 tyres, comments reported “a safe driving behaviour on wet and dry slopes with sporty and direct steering behaviour with good feedback.” Overall, the tyre was regarded as “exemplary”. The F1 Asymmetric 6 is currently available in over 45 sizes with fitments for wheels from 17”-22” in diameter.

High performance cars need high performance tyres and this Subaru Impreza is no exception. At Bush Tyres we stock not only a large range of high performance tyres but tyres designed for everyday applications and all budgets. Just call into one of our local branches for up-to-date information on the best tyres for your vehicle and driving requirements.

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