2015 WRX STI gets transformed into full GRC supercar trim

The all-new 2015 Subaru RallyCross STI made its global debut for Global RallyCross fans and motorsports enthusiasts at the New York International Auto Show. The 2015 Subaru WRX STI production car was also there, but this one is trimmed in full RallyCross Supercar Trim. The RallyCross STI was prepared by Vermont SportsCar, and will officially enter in the RedBull Global RallyCross Championship this fall for Subaru Rally Team USA.

The new 2015 Subaru RallyCross STI will be piloted by last years team of Bucky Lasek & Sverre Isachsen, but will begin the RedBull GRC season in the 2014 WRX STI. The two drivers will be transitioning to the 2015 WRX STI in later GRC races this fall. Vermont SportsCar has been getting the car ready and started with a production 2015 WRX STI and it was completely disassembled and trans formed into the GRC RallyCross Supercar Trim.

The 2015 Subaru RallyCross STI gets external upgrades over the production model like a custom widebody, an larger STI wing integrated with carbon fiber aerodynamic enhancements, and a classic rally car-style roof ventilation scoop. Subaru teased performance fans with an image of the big wing earlier in the week and said, “See you in New York.” We speculated it was a motorsports variant and Subaru unveiled the car this week.

The 2015 RallyCross STI is powered by a 600 horsepower turbocharged Subaru boxer engine coupled to a race-spec sequential gearbox with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive sending power to all four wheels. The GRC RallyCross STI comes with an advanced rally-spec suspension that will handle the extreme conditions on the tracks. The car rides on Method Race Wheels, wrapped with new Yokohama GRC spec competition tires.

Global RallyCross is one of the fastest growing spectator attractions in motorsports, and race fans see these cars race bumper-to-bumper on some of the most diverse and technical challenging circuits in the world of motorsport. All the tracks on the GRC Championship are between half a mile and a mile in length, and feature a mixture of dirt and tarmac, as well as various other obstacles that puts the cars high into the air. All GRC cars feature 4-cylinder turbocharged engines and all-wheel drive. Each race pushes drivers and cars into extreme race conditions.

Subaru came up with uniquely-colored 2015 Subaru RallyCross STI just for the 2015 RedBull Global RallyCross Championship. Rob Weir, Subaru Motorsports Marketing Manager said at the unveiling at NYIAS, “This unique livery design is a joint project between Subaru, the RedBull Global RallyCross Championship, and NBC for the New York International Auto Show. At Subaru, we are very encouraged by the direction RedBull GRC is going. We’re looking forward to new race venues and a more intimate experience for our fans.”

Global RallyCross fans and motorsports enthusiasts will be able to see all the action on TV this year. RedBull Global RallyCross Championship recently announced NBC Sports Group as their television partner, and nine of the ten rounds will air on NBC, with encore presentations airing on NBCSN.

The all-new 2015 RallyCross STI has been uncovered at the New York International Auto Show for performance fans to see. This car started as a 2015 Subaru WRX STI, but it’s been transformed for the GRC. Look for the first Global RallyCross round to be held May 18 in Barbados, in conjunction with Top Gear Live. The race will air on NBC May 24 at 1:00 p.m. EST. We can’t wait to see the 2015 RallyCross STI in action later this fall.

Other 2015 Subaru GRC STI stories of interest.