Soon after the adoption of the new regulations in 1997, Subaru boldly entered their Impreza WRC and secured the Manufacturer's Title with its powerful horizontally opposed 4-cylinder turbo engine. In 1999, improvements were made to the engine and gearbox. Foremost was the adoption of the first ever electronically controlled throttle system in the WRC scene, as well as the employment of a 6-speed semi-automatic gearbox. The 2001 Impreza featured a 4-door sedan body to adopt to the current market version. While 2002 marked the second consecutive year with the 4-door sedan body, fine-tuned modifications and overall maturing of the machine were realized. Due to alterations made to the exhaust manifold, the Impreza's engine realized increased torque in the 4000-5000rpm range often reached durning rally racing. Starting with a change in transmission gears, drive shaft and front housing were reinforced. Furthermore, brackets attaching each part were made more compact and rear windshield was thinned out t realize effective weight-savings and lower center of gravity. After R. Burns left to Team Peugeot, the driver who took th 4 year consecutive drivers title from 1996-99, T. Makinen joined up with Subaru in 2002, along with the talented P. Solberg. Makinen took first place at the opening rally in Monte-Carlo with the 2001 machines. The 2002 machine made its appearance in the 3rd rally, at France's Tour de Corse where it took 6th place, followed by 2nd in the Argentina Rally, and then 3rd place in the Rally of Finland all under theskilled driving of Solberg.