Subaru has an extended historical past in rallying, for over 4 a long time now, and, on Wednesday, it unveiled its newest automobile, a WRX however not an STI. It’s the Subaru Motorsports WRX Rally. It’s 320 horsepower, restricted by class laws, and a rally automobile, the one automobile anybody ever needs.
You possibly can’t purchase this automobile (not less than but, till Vermont SportsCar, Subaru’s accomplice, probably decides to promote it in a couple of years’ time or one thing), however it is possible for you to to see it this 12 months within the American Rally Affiliation Championship, beginning on the Ojibwe Forests Rally in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, on August 24 and 25. In some unspecified time in the future later this 12 months, Travis Pastrana, a driver of some renown, may even drive one in every of these automobiles in ARA competitors.
From Subaru’s launch:
Constructed for competitors by technical accomplice Vermont SportsCar, the brand new rally automobile has been engineered from the within out for optimum efficiency beneath present ARA Open 4WD specs and laws. Beginning with WRX #1 – the very first current-generation Subaru WRX bought within the US – the brand new automobile was designed, constructed, and examined over a interval of 18 months earlier than its debut at the moment. It’s powered by a custom-built turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine that meets the necessities of its class, together with a mandated 33mm restrictor and 22psi enhance restrict. To spec, the engine produces 320hp and 380 lb-ft. of torque, whereas a SADEV six-speed close-ratio transmission sends the facility to all 4 wheels. Springs and dampers are from R53 Suspension, working with VSC-designed crossmembers, hyperlinks, and hubs to handle wheel motion on any floor the Yokohama 15-inch ADVAN A053 gravel rally tires encounter.
Subaru and Vermont SportsCar even have security in thoughts:
A lot of the event of the brand new automobile focuses on the security of the driving force and co-driver, beginning with a totally seam-welded physique shell and an FIA/USAC-spec roll cage constructed from T45 metal. The inventory WRX fuel tank is changed by an 82-liter Kevlar gas cell, and Sparco ADV Prime competitors seats function HANS (Head and Neck Restraint System) gadgets, a self-extinguishing material liner and FIA authorized power absorbing padding.
Right here is a photograph of a flying automobile:
Subaru says that, “there’s each probability that rally racing might be on the upswing in the USA,” and we will solely hope it’s proper. Subaru is making an attempt to do its half, not less than.
