Is it supposed to look this way?

Thanks to both of you for your inputs.
I think I would have left it if it was noticable only from underneith but at the rear end you can see the wheels through the rear window.... The Dashboard hides the problems in the front but I think I have to do something about the rear. Will try to take some pics to show you what I mean.
Joel

I've just looked at my (quite old) 206 - still the silver one. There is a similar problem if you really look hard, but I left it at that. After fit, the body and the floorpan split a bit as the body curves outwards for that nice and bulky part around both front and rear wheels. The floorpan just goes straight on.

My decision was to leave it at that. If you don't do a wheel-off diorama, you won't notice it without turning the model over and squinting past the wheels. So if that's the same prob, which it seems, it is the case, yes. Strange they did not improve it through the years - mine is the 2000 Monte version, the year Gronholm won his first champ.

It all depends on what you want from the kit. But if it's a "serious" (or competition) kit, I'd advise the same as nicholma above. It should not be too difficult to curve out the bottom of the pan and widen it on the wheel arches. That is if you're staying in a place where can actually FIND styrene!

Having gone on about that - I've just picked up my (even older) McRae Subaru, also quite bulky over the wheels... same prob. The Lancer seems much better, but also not a perfect fit.

I've got 2 of the 2002 kits but haven't started either although I'm sure they will be very similar to the 2003 kit. I'm suprised that there is a noticeable gap although the fit won't be tight because of the nature of the fit of the bodyshell to the floorpan/interior. Check that the rear chassis fits within the 2 lugs at the rear of the body shell and isn't resting on them. This would have the effect of raising the body relative to the chassis and would give you that gap.

Is this just a trial fit or the final fit?

If its really bad then I'd fill the gap with some made-to-fit plugs from styrene, filled and painted to look part of the kit.