TodayApril 15, 2022

Subaru creates car for Pastrana Gymkhana video

Most outrageous WRX STI ever created by Subaru

Subaru of America revealed the most outrageous WRX STI ever, a custom-built tire destroyer set to star in the next installment of Hoonigan’s Gymkhana video series with Subaru Motorsports USA driver Travis Pastrana at the wheel. Drawing on Subaru’s championship-winning rally and rallycross experience, this one-off STI throws out the rule book with the sole objective of taking Gymkhana to the next level.

Travis Pastrana will take over the Gymkhana series for 2020, bringing the series back to its roots. The first two installments featured Ken Block driving Subaru WRX STI models, but promising a new take on the Gymkhana concept.

With Pastrana’s decades of experience in rally, rallycross, supercross, freestyle motocross, NASCAR, and stunts, Subaru delivered a vehicle that could do things no Gymkhana car has ever done. The resulting build demanded the expertise of Subaru’s decades of motorsports experience and the creativity of technical partner Vermont SportsCar to build a production-based sedan on the limit of what was possible.

This focus on extreme performance is evident from every angle, thanks to a raw carbon body with a wildly aggressive and wind tunnel-proven aero package unlike anything seen on a Gymkhana build before. With a custom-made SUBARU BOXER engine, flame-spitting hood exit exhaust, long-travel suspension, and a race-ready interior built to Pastrana’s specs, this is an STI born to shred tires and smash expectations.

“This STI is unbelievable!” said Pastrana. “We’ve never had the opportunity to do this before, to build a car with no restrictions. Engine, suspension, aero—everything is unlimited, clean sheet. It’s crazy fast, easy to control, can get sideways, and perfect out of the box in testing. Gymkhana is a new challenge for me, but I want to raise the bar, and this is the car to do it.”

“When we brought Subaru back to Gymkhana, we knew we had to build something outrageous,” said William Stokes, Motorsports Manager, Subaru of America. “Travis always wants to push the limits, so we knew from the outset we weren’t going to do this with a rally or rallycross car. This was an opportunity for us to redefine what an STI could be, and the results speak for themselves.”

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Lou Ann Hammond

Lou Ann Hammond is the CEO of Carlist and Driving the Nation. She is the co-host of Real Wheels Washington Post carchat every Friday morning and is the Automotive, energy correspondent for The John Batchelor Show and a Contributor to Automotive Electronics magazine headquartered in Korea. Hammond is a founding member of the Women's World Car of the Year #WWCOTY, and board member of the Women in Automotive.

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