Tag Archives: Subaru

News

Brataroo: Travis Pastrana’s 670bhp Subaru Brat Goes Full Aussie Mad Max

You know how some people restore old Subarus with a new paint job and a nice set of alloys? Yeah, Travis Pastrana doesn’t do that. Instead, he and the lunatics at Hoonigan, together with the wizards at Vermont Sportscar, have turned a humble Subaru Brat — the quirky ‘70s pick-up with jump seats in the bed — into a full-blown, fire-breathing stunt weapon.

They call it the Brataroo, and if that name doesn’t already sound like it belongs in a cartoon explosion, wait until you hear what it can do.

Gone is the Brat’s plucky 1.6-litre engine that once produced as much power as a leaf blower. In its place sits a turbocharged 2.0-litre flat-four tuned to within an inch of its life. The result? 670 horsepower, 680lb ft of torque, and a redline that screams all the way past 9500rpm. That’s almost ten times the power the original ever dreamed of — and it’s still got a bed in the back.

Built by Vermont Sportscar, the same team responsible for Pastrana’s Subaru WRX rally monsters, the Brataroo is less a restoration and more a complete reimagining of what a Subaru Brat could be — if it were designed by someone with a Red Bull IV drip and a personal grudge against tyres.

The body is pure carbonfibre, bristling with active aerodynamic devices. Think of it as a stunt driver’s version of a fighter jet: movable flaps and fins that tweak the car’s attitude mid-flight. Literally. When Pastrana sends it skyward during one of his trademark jumps, the Brataroo’s aero system automatically adjusts to keep it flat, balanced, and camera-ready. Because of course it does.

And it’s not all tech and terror. There’s a surprisingly artistic side to this lunacy. Inside, the Brat’s old wooden trim has been reinterpreted with flax-composite panels, giving a nod to the original’s rustic charm while still looking like it belongs in a spaceship. The air-conditioning controls? They now adjust the active aero system. Because cooling off is less important than perfecting your trajectory through the air at 90mph.

This outrageous contraption will make its debut in the next Gymkhana film, shot in Australia, where Pastrana will presumably spend several days trying to turn the outback into a cloud of shredded Michelin rubber.

In a world where most “restomods” aim for tasteful nostalgia and Sunday cruising, the Brataroo is a middle finger to subtlety — a 670bhp rally-bred pick-up designed for the sole purpose of defying physics and looking heroic while doing it.

And that’s exactly why we love it.

Source: Autocar

CONCEPT CARS

Subaru Turns Up the Voltage: Two STI Concepts Steal the Spotlight at Japan Mobility Show 2025

Subaru’s booth at this year’s Japan Mobility Show is split cleanly down the middle — half electric future, half turbocharged nostalgia — but all heart. Under the banner “Driving the Subaru Difference,” the brand rolled out a lineup that captures both sides of its personality: the responsible EV innovator and the gravel-slinging, rally-bred thrill-seeker.

Performance-E: The Electric Flagship We’ve Been Waiting For

Leading Subaru’s performance charge is the STI Performance-E Concept, a sleek, all-electric sports wagon that signals where the brand is headed next. Subaru calls it the “flagship of a new generation,” and if looks are anything to go by, the future of the STI badge could be shockingly good.

The design language is sharp and cohesive — a blend of muscular tension and aerodynamic precision. Bold LED lighting cuts across the front fascia, flanking a wide, sculpted intake treatment. The proportions lean towards a long-roof sports wagon, with a low stance and a sloping roofline that tapers into a ducktail spoiler wearing twin vertical fins. Below, a chunky diffuser borrows cues straight from Formula 1, complete with a central rain light.

Gold aero wheel covers, black rims, and red calipers nod to Subaru’s performance heritage, but the clean surfacing and minimalist detailing speak to a new design philosophy — one that’s as much about efficiency as excitement.

Underneath, Subaru’s cutaway renders reveal a floor-mounted battery pack, dual-motor all-wheel drive, and a low-slung suspension geometry that hints at the brand’s engineering priorities. While no specs have been released, Subaru promises “intuitive, exciting driving experiences” and a “driver-friendly layout.” If this car indeed previews a future electric Levorg successor, it could mark the start of an entirely new chapter for STI.

Performance-B: A Boxer Revival with Old-School Fire

Then there’s the Performance-B Concept, Subaru’s nod to the faithful who still want to hear a turbo whistle rather than an inverter whine. This five-door hatch channels the STI spirit of the 2000s, looking every bit like a reincarnated third-gen WRX STI — only angrier and more sculpted.

Wide fenders with integrated vents, a functional hood scoop, a red-accented grille, and a race-ready rear wing all scream purpose. The aggressive bodykit and meaty alloy wheels with high-profile rubber make it clear this isn’t just a design exercise. Subaru confirms there’s a boxer engine under the hood, paired with its trademark Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, though it’s keeping output numbers under wraps — for now.

No exhaust tips peek through the complex rear diffuser, suggesting this concept is more about aero experimentation than final production form. Still, it’s not hard to imagine this car becoming a direct rival to the Toyota GR Corolla — a modern-day hot hatch war that enthusiasts would gladly sign up for.

Adventure Awaits: The Electric Trailseeker and the Wilderness Lineup

Beyond the performance spotlight, Subaru also leaned into its outdoorsy DNA with a trio of Adventure-themed debuts. The Trailseeker, an all-electric crossover that could preview an E-Outback, joined refreshed versions of the Forester Wilderness and Outback Wilderness. Each was shown with bespoke roof gear — from canoes to bike racks — highlighting Subaru’s outdoors-first ethos.

And just for fun, Subaru brought back a crowd favorite: the Family Huckster, a restomod 1983 Subaru GL Wagon turned viral sensation. With its wild aero bits and performance upgrades, it’s a nostalgic wink to the brand’s quirky, rally-tuned past — the perfect counterpoint to all the futuristic sheetmetal around it.

The Takeaway

Subaru’s 2025 Mobility Show lineup feels like a brand in balance. The Performance-E shows it can think in kilowatts without losing character, while the Performance-B proves the boxer spirit still burns bright. In between, the Wilderness models remind everyone that adventure — not just acceleration — remains core to Subaru’s DNA.

If this is a preview of what’s next for the company, the Subaru Difference might soon mean something broader — and bolder — than ever before.

Source: Subaru

NEW CARS

Subaru STI Is Back – and It’s Bringing Both Fire and Lightning

You can almost hear the turbo spool again. After years of silence, Subaru’s iconic STI badge is clawing its way out of hibernation – and it’s coming back swinging. Not with one concept car, but two. One’s powered by electrons, the other by good old-fashioned fossil fury. Tokyo Motor Show, brace yourself.

The teaser image Subaru dropped is pure fan-service: two squat little hot hatches crouched under spotlights, one sleek and electric, the other bristling with mechanical menace. For the faithful, it’s like seeing a long-lost friend step into the pub wearing a racing jacket and gold wheels again.

The Twin Revival

Let’s start with the EV. Subaru’s calling it the “spearhead” for its next generation of cars — a sharp-edged, future-ready machine wearing the brand’s bold new design language. Expect illuminated logos, distinctive light signatures, and a roofline rakish enough to make a Cayman nervous. It’s the STI that hums rather than growls, but it promises to be just as rabid.

Then there’s the combustion-powered sibling — more old-school, more familiar. Think Impreza hatchback gone rogue, fitted with a boxer engine and Subaru’s trademark symmetrical all-wheel drive. It’s not officially called a WRX, but the family resemblance is undeniable. Underneath the concept-car showmanship, this one’s the heartstring-tugger: the STI for those who still know what a clutch pedal does.

From Rally Glory to Quiet Retreat

It’s been a rough few years for Subaru’s performance arm. The last proper WRX STI bowed out in 2021, and UK fans lost access even earlier, casualties of emissions laws and the WRC’s shifting rulebook. Subaru UK tried to move on — trading rally stages for camping trips, and Imprezas for Outbacks. By 2021, the lineup was all SUVs and soft edges.

Back then, Subaru’s managing director even declared the WRX STI had “nothing really to do with the Subaru brand as it is today.” Ouch. Tell that to the millions who plastered STI stickers on their laptops — and maybe even their lawnmowers.

A Change of Heart

But tides are turning in Gunma. Subaru’s new leadership seems to realise what fans have been shouting for years: you can’t separate Subaru from STI. Europe boss David Dello Stritto admitted it himself earlier this year:

“Ask the average person what Subaru means and they’ll say STI. You can’t disassociate this from Subaru.”

Lorraine Bishton, Subaru’s UK boss, went one further, calling the brand’s retreat from performance “a little bit of a missed opportunity.” And that’s corporate-speak for: “We might’ve made a massive mistake.”

Blue Paint, Gold Wheels, and a Glimmer of Hope

So here we are. Two concept cars — one roaring, one silent — both wearing the STI halo. Whether the production versions ever make it to dealers is anyone’s guess. But make no mistake: this is Subaru rediscovering its swagger.

The thought of a future electric WRX STI, perhaps painted in World Rally Blue with bronze wheels and torque-vectoring witchcraft, feels almost too good to be true. But then, Subaru’s never really done “sensible,” has it?

The STI brand is back on the horizon. The engines (and motors) are warming up. And for the first time in years, it feels like Subaru’s heart is beating faster again.

Source: Subaru