Subaru BRAT Gymkhana: Subaru and Hoonigan Reboot Gymkhana with a 670-HP Flying BRAT

Subaru BRAT Gymkhana: Subaru and Hoonigan Reboot Gymkhana with a 670-HP Flying BRAT

Subaru BRAT Gymkhana is officially back! Hoonigan and Subaru Motorsports USA have unveiled their newest hero car for the viral film franchise: the Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo. This purpose-built 1978 Subaru BRAT is engineered to “fly big” and features a 670-horsepower engine with a 9,500 RPM redline, making it the highest-revving Gymkhana car yet. The Subaru BRAT Gymkhana car, which features advanced active aerodynamics, is ready to star in the next film, Aussie Shred, set in Australia, which coined the term “hoon”.

Extreme Performance and Active Aero

The Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo is a blend of nostalgic design and modern WRC-level engineering, designed specifically for extreme vehicular acrobatics.

• Engine & Power: The car is powered by a rallycross-bred, turbocharged 2.0-liter Subaru boxer engine. Vermont SportsCar (VSC) boosted the engine to deliver 670 hp and 680 lb-ft of torque.
• High Redline: It achieves a staggering redline of more than 9,500 rpm.
• Drivetrain: Power is channeled through the car’s all-wheel-drive system via a six-speed sequential SADEV gearbox and motorsport-grade differentials.
• Active Aerodynamics: This is what makes the Subaru BRAT Gymkhana car unique:
  • Front Louvers: Adjustable front fender louvers pivot to fine-tune the car’s “airborne attitude”.
  • Interchangeable Rear Wings: Features two rear wings (large for high downforce, small for tighter antics). Both wings have an adjustable angle of attack to allow for control over the pitch and rotation during high-flying maneuvers.

Nostalgic Design and Production Details

Built in collaboration between Subaru of America and its technical partner, VSC, the car honors the original Subaru BRAT‘s rebellious energy.

• Bodywork: The body is made entirely of carbon fiber, wrapped over a VSC-engineered chassis and a WRC safety-certified roll cage.
• Styling: The lines were reimagined by artist Khyzyl Saleem (The Kyza), sporting a finish that still features ‘70s Subaru branding.
• Interior: The cockpit is a blend of old and new, featuring a carbon-fiber dashboard with flax-composite wood-grain accents for a ’70s charm, alongside a restored OEM radio and a period-correct Uniden CB radio.
• Pastrana’s View: Travis Pastrana said, “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”.

Final Thoughts

The unveiling of the Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo at SEMA is a spectacular way to relaunch the Gymkhana series. This Subaru BRAT Gymkhana car, with its unique active aero and massive 670 horsepower, is a fitting successor to the legacy of Ken Block and a testament to the engineering prowess of Subaru Motorsports USA. The film, Aussie Shred, is set to premiere in early December, ensuring that the spirit of high-horsepower hijinks continues to inspire enthusiasts globally.

Also Read – BottegaFuoriserie: Alfa Romeo and Maserati Working Together, But Definitely Not Merging