This week, Subaru Motorsports has debuted something groundbreaking– the quickest and fastest Subaru WRX. Enticingly nicknamed “Project Midnight,” this vehicle will be making its debut at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, taking place from July 11th to 14th.
The Project Midnight WRX arose from the success of the record-breaking "Airslayer" Gymkhana car, a vehicle based on a 2020 Subaru WRX STI. Airslayer was the star of a viral video in 2020 featuring heartstopping stunts such as a 230-foot jump where its active rear wing controlled the car’s airborne attitude. The car broke records at iconic Mt. Washington Hillclimb and Car & Driver Magazine’s Lightning Lap, further cementing its impressiveness, but it was never designed for pure speed, instead imagined as a “jack of all trades” type of car. Project Midnight answers the question of many curious minds: what would happen if Airslayer was reimagined for tarmac speed?
Featuring ultra-wide aerodynamic bodywork and a radically enlarged version of the wing found on the team’s WRX ARA24 gravel rally car, the Project Midnight WRX is a car that makes an entrance. It’s nearly 300 lbs lighter than Airslayer and 1,000 lbs lighter than a standard WRX thanks to a carbon fiber body and lightened chassis, and it utilizes specially derived tarmac suspension geometry and 18x11-inch OZ Racing Superturismo LMP magnesium wheels with 280/650R18 Yokohama ADVAN slicks to increase performance. The Project Midnight car is powered by a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter flat-four engine that delivers 670 hp and 680 lb-ft of torque, hitting up to 9,500 rpm. The car even includes a flame-spitting hood-exit exhaust.
The car’s engine is the latest and most evolved version of the fabled rallycross engine developed by Subaru Motorsports USA, which helped Scott Speed earn the Nitro Rallycross Teams Championship in 2021. Speed was involved in developing the car that earned him the rallycross victory, and he will do the same here for Project Midnight, hopefully bringing car and driver together on the path to many future victories.
“Subaru Motorsports USA and the team at Vermont SportsCar have delivered an absolute beast. When driving the car it clearly has rallycross roots, but the wider tires, track, and geometry give it a very unique feel and incredible grip. The ultimate driving machine; half RX, half sports car – a true joy to drive,” said Speed.
If you’re interested in keeping up on all of the latest Subaru Motorsports news, make sure you continue to read our blog here at Haldeman Subaru in Hamilton, NJ!
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