The first rally-prepared 2015 Subaru WRX STI will make its debut in Canada this weekend and not the U.S. What are the complete specs?
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The first new-generation 2015 Subaru WRX STI rally-prepped performance car won’t be running in the Red Bull Global Rallycross series, or the Rally America Championship. The first 2015 WRX STI is ready for race action in the 2014 Canadian Rally Championship (CRC). It’s a bit of a surprise we haven’t seen the 2015 STI in the other two series first, as Vermont SportsCar has had the new 2015 WRX STI since the beginning of the season. But the first rally-prepped 2015 STI is ready to go in Canada now. What are the full specs?
The new 2015 WRX STI rally car is being built by Rocket Rally Racing under the leadership of Pat Richard. They have spent countless hours developing the new 2015 WRX STI and getting it ready for rally action. They have released a few specs and we know a few more things about the car and powertrain.
Built from a production 2015 STI
The all-new open class 2015 Subaru WRX STI has been built directly from a production body and powertrain package. Rocket Rally Racing says the new body shape allowed for improved weight distribution and added driver safety over the previous generation STI. Special rally suspension and braking components have been used to maximize performance under the severe rally conditions.
2015 WRX STI engine
The new 2015 WRX STI will run in the Open Rally Car Class. We know that the new STI will run a Rocket Rally developed "open class spec" engine. The engine will be the Subaru EJ207 which is the 2.0-liter powerplant. This is the Japan 2.0-liter engine that we see in new 2015 WRX STI that was just released for the Japan-only market.
The Subaru EJ207 has been updated by Rocket Rally Racing with increased compression and Subaru JDM heads and cams. It will feature a Garrett turbo, 34mm restrictor, Rocket Rally up-pipe, downpipe, exhaust and motorsport CAT. It gets new internals like H-beam rods, forged pistons and Crawford crank. Rocket Rally developed the Motec M1 ECU with full engine control (anti-lag, launch control, DBW control, water injection) together with built in full throttle gear shift and center differential control. The 2.0-liter EJ207 engine was configured and dyno tuned at Rocket Rally Racing. They haven’t released horsepower numbers.
Some stock parts still used
The 2015 STI will use the Subaru manual six-speed transmission with sequential gear kit and Subaru DCCD. It also uses the stock 2015 STI rear differential with STI motorsport limited slip differential. The driveshaft gets upgraded with a shop carbon fiber prop shaft, STI heavy duty drive shafts and uprated clutch and flywheel. The fuel, cooling, brakes and electrical systems have all been upgraded with special "high efficiency" units for the tough rally extremes the car will be subjected to. For maximum traction, the new STI will be fitted with 15" gravel rally wheels and tires.
Cabin upgrades
The new 2015 WRX STI interior gets upgraded with an FIA homologated roll cage, extended suspension turrets, reinforced suspension mountings, Rocket Rally plastic windows and heated front windshield. The rear doors are manufactured from carbon fiber but the looks and aerodynamics of the new car are almost unchanged. The 2015 STI gets OMP HTE seats, steering wheel, fire suppression system and hand held fire extinguisher. Safety features include a TRS 6pt (HANS) harnesses and carbon fiber co-drivers foot plate and a battery kill switch.
The first-ever rally-prepared 2015 Subaru WRX STI is ready to go and will be involved in the remainder of this year's events. Subaru Rally Team Canada and the new-generation STI rally car are ready to go for the Rally Defi in the 2014 Canadian Rally Championship (CRC) in Ste-Agathe, QC on September 5-6. Stay tuned for the race results.
Other 2015 Subaru WRX STI Rally car stories of interest.
New STI Rally car suddenly makes exciting debut in Canada Rally Championship
Watch 2015 Subaru WRX STI SRTC Rally Car Build video.
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This article states the
This article states the engine used in the rally car is the 2.0 ej207 that was recently unveiled in japan for the 2015. But if I go to the article referenced it sates that engine is DIT, high compression etc. Doesn't sound like a ej207 to me... Sounds like an FAxxx or FBxxx. Am I missing something??
Just to be clear, the EJ207
Just to be clear, the EJ207 isn't what that link is announcing. The link is talking about a new STI-tuned FA20 for the STI.