New Video: Watch Prodrive Subaru WRX STI Type RA Lap The Ring In 6:57.5

Don’t get too excited if you think the new 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA production car will lap the Ring in a sub-seven minute lap time. It won’t, because the special WRX STI Type RA NBR car was built by Prodrive, and it was the same car that set the Isle of Man TT lap record by Mark Higgins. They refreshed the EJ20 2.0-liter and set a new Nurburgring record for a sedan.

The Prodrive-built STI Type RA is nothing like the production car. It runs a modified EJ20 2.0-liter WRC-spec boxer powerplant. It uses a 75-mm intake, the turbo runs at 250 psi of boost and pumps out more than 600 horsepower at 8,500 rpm. The STI Type RA NBR Special is a unique race machine, with the interior gutted, a full roll cage, special Dunlop racing tires, race suspension, engine mods, body kit, adjustable rear wing and a carbon fiber roof.

Mark Higgins wasn’t behind the wheel, the Prodrive Subaru WRX STI Type RA NBR Special was driven by FIA World Endurance race driver Richie Stanaway from New Zealand, and hit a Nurburgring Nordschleife track record sub-seven time of 6:57.5.

Next, Subaru will launch a 2018 WRX STI Type RA production model limited to just 500 examples, but it won’t lap the Ring in sub-seven times. The performance car will be faster than the standard STI and it will be released early next year. Stay tuned.

Watch Subaru WRX STI Type RA NBR Special Record Nurburgring Lap video

Photo credit: Subaru