Subaru has let its specially built time attack WRX STI loose on the famous Nurburgring Nordschleife race track in Germany. The Type RA NBR Special set a new lap record for a four-door saloon over the 20.8-kilometre circuit, breaking the 7 minute mark with a time of 6:57.5. The time is just 0.5sec slower than that achieved by a Porsche 918 Spyder and 12sec slower than the fastest vehicle, the Next Nio EP9 electric supercar.
Subaru says the time was achieved using the Nurburgring timing equipment and was officially verified by track officials.
The car, specially designed to show the capabilities of the Subaru saloon and all-wheel drive, has previously set lap records at the Isle of Man TT and the Goodwood Festival of Speed hill climb (where it was also third fastest overall).
The Prodrive-built vehicle is equipped with a rally spec 2-litre Boxer engine, Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and is based on a standard 2017 WRX STI with a full roll cage welded into the standard WRX STI body for added strength and stiffness.
It has a modified 2-litre Subaru WRC-spec boxer engine with a 75mm intake, and the turbo runs at 25 psi of boost. This produces more than 600 horsepower at 8500 rpm. Prodrive calculated the top speed at the ‘Ring would be 288 kmh at 8500 rpm in top gear.
It has has 9-inch-wide slick tyres all around and uses a WRC gearbox with an automatic clutch, modified with hydraulics for paddle-shift operation. Shift times are some of the fastest at 20 to 25 milliseconds.
A redesigned aero-package, different than last year’s TT car set up, delivers improved handling and top speed on the NBR Special. At top speed, the whole package produces about 295 kilograms of downforce. The design includes a Drag Reduction System rear wing similar to the technology found in Formula 1 cars. With its combined electric and hydraulic operation, the wing can deploy for full downforce/drag under braking or in fast turns and then open for less downforce/drag on long straights. The driver has full control of the DRS via a steering wheel mounted control taking less than 20 milliseconds to change position fully