It may have started as a secret project at Subaru of America, but the veil has been lifted. Introducing the exclusive and highly anticipated Subaru WRX Project Midnight.
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A secret WRX?
Subaru and Subaru Motorsports USA like to keep secrets. They have revealed the "secret" Subaru WRX Project Midnight. I teased the new model last week, and now Subaru has made it official. You can read about it in my report here.
Subaru of America says Project Midnight (PM) is the fastest WRX race car they've ever built. The 2.0-liter turbocharged Boxer four-cylinder engine pumps out a massive 670 horsepower.
Subaru says, "Born from the success of the record-breaking "Airslayer" Gymkhana car, Project Midnight takes things to a new level with a singular directive: outright speed."
Speed has all the fun.
Imagine the exhilaration of driving the ultra-light all-wheel-drive WRX PM, which weighs a mere 2,469 lbs. Scott Speed is the lucky driver who will experience this thrill firsthand.
Project Midnight's progenitor – Airslayer – was based on a 2020 Subaru WRX STI. You can read about it in my report here.
More PM details.
The 670 horsepower Project Midnight WRX is a marvel of engineering, featuring ultra-wide aerodynamic bodywork and a radically enlarged wing. The use of carbon fiber and a significantly lightened chassis contribute to its impressive curb weight of well under 2,500 pounds—nearly 300 pounds lighter than the Airslayer and 1,000 pounds lighter than a standard WRX.
WRX PM uses specially derived tarmac suspension geometry and swaps Airslayer's 17-inch rallycross wheel and tire package for 18x11-inch OZ Racing Superturismo LMP magnesium wheels and 280/650R18 Yokohama ADVAN slicks.
Under the hood, a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter flat-four Boxer produces 670 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque, revving to 9,500 rpm and spitting flames from its hood-exit exhaust. Subaru says, "The powerplant is the most recent and top-performing evolution of Subaru Motorsports USA's highly successful rallycross engine that helped Scott Speed earn Subaru the Nitro Rallycross Teams Championship in 2021."
Scott Speed does it again.
If you don't know who Scott Speed is, he gets to drive fast and fun Subaru vehicles. He's never worked a day in his life. He loves what he does.
"Speed will help develop Project Midnight as the duo take on new challenges and set new records," says the Subaru announcement.
If you are in the U.K., you can check out the WRX Project Midnight when it debuts July 11-14 at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
"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 unique feel and incredible grip. The ultimate driving machine, half RX, half sports car – a true joy to drive," said Speed.
Check out the website here for more on the July 11-14 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Subaru
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