The Prodrive Impreza WRC2008, which Marcus Gronholm will drive at the Rally of Portugal, has successfully completed its first shakedown.

Gronholm will drive the test car in Wales this week, before undertaking a full two day pre-event test in Spain next week.  This means the two-time World Rally Champion will have three days to familiarise himself with the new car before starting his first World Rally Championship event in nearly 16 months.

The Prodrive Impreza WRC2008 is fundamentally the same car used by the Subaru World Rally Team last season.  “We have only been able to make minor changes to the car because of homologation restrictions, with the most significant difference being the Ohlins dampers,” said Prodrive technical director, David Lapworth.  “In a perfect world, Marcus would have had far more time behind the wheel, however, with his years of experience, I am absolutely confident he will very quickly find a rhythm in the Impreza.”

Gronholm’s participation in the Rally of Portugal has been made possible by the support of the Portuguese Tourist Board.  The car has been entered under the Prodrive team name and it will be run out of the same service area as the Prodrive-supported Adapta World Rally Team.