Known the world over as one of rallying's most iconic liveries, the blue and gold Subaru colours are returning to factory cars this year
Every enthusiast with high-octane fuel running through their veins has images of the iconic blue and gold Subaru WRC cars embedded in their brain. Seeing that iconic livery tattooed to a fire-breathing STI-badged car leaping through the air would stay with any five-year old worth their salt. While Subaru isn’t announcing a much desired return to the World Rally Championship, it has given new life to its most historic livery.
For 2019 the luminescent ‘star cluster’ livery will appear on all Subaru Motorsport vehicles, meaning that you can expect to see it at future stage rallies, rallycross, record attempts, off-road racing, and circuit racing.
The design has been updated to reflect the most modern incarnation of Subaru’s logo with the ‘comet’ design being bolder and sweeping back past the B-pillars. The famed pairing of golden alloy wheels and WR Blue Pearl paint is present and correct.
The paint scheme was originally introduced in 1993 on the Subaru Legacy WRC car, as part of a deal with primary backer British American Tobacco and migrated to the Impreza when the team switched models later that year. It rose to global fame thanks to Collin McRae, Richard Burns, and Petter Solberg, who won a drivers' title each in 1995, 2001 and 2003 respectively with Subarus sporting the iconic livery.
Alan Bethke, Vice President of Marketing for Subaru of America, said: “These colours are part of our brand’s history, and beloved by our enthusiasts,” He continued, “For a generation of rally fans, Subaru is synonymous with blue cars, gold wheels and the iconic star cluster. This new design pays tribute to that heritage, while looking ahead to future success under the Subaru Motorsports name.”
The newly formed Subaru Motorsports division stems from the successful Subaru Rally Team USA, with the renaming symbolising the broader range of disciplines to be entered. The livery is to make its global debut next Monday at the North American International Auto Show, and its race debut at the 100 Acre Wood Rally in Missouri, March 15/16.
