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Hoonigan Unveils Sick Subaru BRAT for Gymkhana: 1,100-HP Engine and Active Aero for Travis Pastrana

Hoonigan and Subaru Motorsports USA have unveiled their wildest Gymkhana ride yet—the custom Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo. This highly modified Subaru BRAT, built for rally and motocross champion Travis Pastrana, features a 670-horsepower engine (up from the original 630 hp) with a blistering 9,500 RPM redline, all wrapped in lightweight carbon fiber and equipped with advanced active aerodynamics. Pastrana himself called the Brataroo “hands down the craziest Gymkhana car we’ve ever built,” a statement backed by its outrageous specs and retro-inspired design. The Subaru BRAT will star in the next Gymkhana film, Aussie Shred, set to premiere in early December.

Building a Monster: Performance and Engineering

The Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo is a purpose-built machine, engineered by Vermont SportsCar (VSC) to handle extreme abuse and high-horsepower acrobatics.

Engine: The heart of the beast is a rallycross-bred, turbocharged 2.3-liter Subaru boxer engine. VSC tuned it to deliver 670 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque. (Hoonigan Unveils Sick Subaru BRAT)
High-Revving: The engine is built for screaming performance, capable of a high redline of 9,500 RPM.
Drivetrain: Power is distributed to all four wheels (AWD) through the BRAT’s all-wheel-drive system, managed by a six-speed sequential SADEV gearbox and racing-spec differentials.
Platform: The base is a classic 1978 Subaru BRAT, but the body is reworked with a wide-body kit designed by renowned concept artist Khyzyl Saleem (The Kyza). The body panels are finished entirely in lightweight carbon fiber.

Advanced Active Aerodynamics

The Brataroo features F1-inspired active aero components to enhance stability during high-speed drifts and jumps.

Adjustable Louvers: The front has adjustable front fender louvers that can pivot forward or backward, allowing the driver to fine-tune the car’s front-end balance.
Interchangeable Rear Wings: The rear can be configured with two interchangeable rear wings:
- A larger wing for maximum downforce at high speeds.
- A smaller wing for more nimble maneuvers.
Mid-Air Control: Like the louvers, the wing’s angle of attack can be adjusted to control the vehicle’s direction mid-air.

Interior and Heritage Styling

The interior pays tribute to the original 1978 BRAT’s utilitarian nature while adding racing essentials.

Utilitarian Interior: The cabin is inspired by the utilitarian nature of the original 1978 model, blending the old and the new.
Cockpit: Features a lightweight carbon-fiber dashboard.
Retro Touches: Includes 70s charm with flax-composite wood-grain accents, a restored OEM radio, and a period-correct Uniden CB radio. Repurposed HVAC controls adjust the active aero.
Livery: The bespoke livery is inspired by Outback sunsets, featuring Pastrana’s signature thumbs up, ’70s Subaru branding, and corporate logos.
Wheels: Rides on bespoke 18-inch KMC Wheels forged monoblocks, inspired by the BRAT’s original four-spoke wheels.

Final Thoughts and Gymkhana Premiere

The Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo is a triumphant collaboration that embraces the quirky and performance-driven parts of Subaru’s history.

Pastrana’s View: Travis Pastrana praised the build, saying, “It’s got the soul of a vintage Subaru with the tech to do things no Gymkhana car has ever done. […] It’s hands down the craziest Gymkhana car we’ve ever built”.
Next Film: The BRAT will star in the next Gymkhana film, Aussie Shred, which is set to premiere on the Hoonigan YouTube channel in early December.
Public Display: The special BRAT will be on display during the 2025 SEMA Show.

This special BRAT is another step up from the 862-horsepower GL wagon used in Gymkhana 2022, and hopefully, it brings new appreciation to more of the brand’s unique classics.

Also Read – Toyota Explores The Wild Side Of All Its Powertrains At SEMA: Hydrogen Tacoma, EV Race Car, & V6 Land Cruiser Restomod