The P1 is manufactured at the Fuji Heavy Industries Yajima Factory in Ota City
Japan. Not only does the same production line produce all variants of the
Impreza but the Forester is also produced on the same line. Just in time
principles are used with parts delivered by robotic truck on a per car basis
and it is likely to see a Forester following an STi, followed by a 5 door
wagon. As stated above in previous sections, the P1 is a mix and match parts
bin exercise utilising strengths from both the UK Turbo and the STi range and
so it is fairly easy to build one alongside all of the other variations. The
problem arises where those parts are non standard, requiring specialised
processes, and an increase in inventory for the Japanese plant for a relatively
low volume car. 1000 cars a low volume? Yes it is when you consider that the
line it is produced upon manufactures over 1000 cars a DAY. So the cars
are built upto and finished to a final specification ready for shipping to the
UK.
This includes...
- UK dashboard
- Air conditioning fitted
- Six speakers, wiring loom and single DIN ICE bay
- European specification lighting
- Headlamp levelling
- Headlamp washers
- Light UK tint glass all round
- High performance exhaust catalyst
When the car P1 arrives in the UK specially trained Subaru staff will carry
out all suspension and interior and exterior enhancements at the company's, 3.5
million pound vehicle distribution centre in Quedgeley, Gloucestershire. Two
man days (hope there is more than one man on the job) are spent on each car
bringing it upto P1 specification. Items added or changed:-
- Wheels - the car is delivered on standard Subaru 16in items and these are
removed.
- Suspension - the original Subaru springs are removed and replaced by
lower Eibach items. The dampers are as supplied from STi but specified by
Prodrive.
- Wheels - the OZ Racing alloys are now fitted.
- Suspension - geometry set for toe, camber etc.
- Front lip spoiler fitted
- Hella driving lights fitted
- Rear spoiler fitted
- Speedo conversion unit
- Cat 1 immobiliser, alarm and RAC Trackstar tracking device fitted
- Prodrive car mats fitted to footwells and boot
- Prodrive P1 badging
P1 at the London Motorshow
The P1 was centre stage on the Subaru stand at the 1999 London Motorshow.
The P1 and WRC show car (note NOT the same colour).
Peter Stevens front spoiler (still not too sure about it) and Hella spotlights.
The titanium effect wheels from OZ Racing look nice. It is a shame that the
brakes are the same as the standard Impreza with 295mm diameter discs and 4 pot
Subaru calipers.
Prodrive rear wing as designed by Peter Stevens.
To see further pictures from the show of other Subarus and non Subarus have
a look at my Motor Show pictures page.
Next - P1 vs UK/Euro/Aus Spec Turbo vs STi - the differences
Back to P1 index
