The Impreza WRC is supposed to get a few tweaks around the 3rd or 4th round, if I recall correctly. There are new rules this year allowing plastic bumpers (rather then steel) and Subaru is planning some engine & chasis modifications. It is supposed to be the most significant advance of the car since the bug-eyes.
They are also planning on using an active damping suspension (active control of the shock absorbers) on the tarmac rallies this year. Subaru attempted to use this in Italy this year, but didn't create the expected results. Petter wanted more testing before he used it again (and I assume he got some, or will very soon). Unfortunately, the active suspension has a good chance of being canned by Subaru due to the FIA proposing to ban on active suspension in 2005. Why waste money on stuff that will get banned the next year? (Peugeot has active anti-sway bars that would get banned by this rule too).
There is also a minimum body shell rule this year that should help out Subaru. Previously, there was only a minimum weight rule, so teams like Peugeot (with a very light body shell) could add weight balast anywhere they wanted to the chasis to help their front-rear weight distribuition (as well as lower the COG). The 206 has a body shell lighter then the new minimum body shell rule, and this is believed to be a significant factor in speeding up the introduction of the 307. Oh, and a wierd sidenote, the 307 might be using a 4-speed gearbox on tarmac rallies.
Subaru might not have an distinct advantage, but they certianly don't have a disadvantage.
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While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN
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