Subaru Unveils the Sinister WRX Project Midnight

Sinister WRX: This could well be the most sinister-looking car ever produced by a Japanese carmaker. It’s like KITT from Knight Rider morphed into Mad Max’s Interceptor but downsized for the 21st century. It’s called the Subaru WRX Project Midnight. It’s very black and packs a Nissan GT-R-beating 670 horsepower.

Scott Speed to Drive WRX at Goodwood:

Employing a 2.0-liter flat-four turbo derived from the firm’s rallycross team, the Project Midnight pumps out a bonkers 670 hp and 680 lb-ft of torque, revving to 9,500 rpm and spitting flames from its hood-exit exhaust.

Subaru claims this is the fastest WRX from Subaru Motorsports USA by doubling the horsepower from the stock WRX. This weekend, it will hurt up the 1.16-mile long hill climb at the legendary Goodwood Festival of Speed, with ex-F1 and rallycross driver Scott Speed behind the wheel.

The Lightest Sinister WRX Ever:

This turbocharged and intercooled unit spins to 9,500 rpm, turning all four wheels as expected of a WRX. It sits in a chassis that’s been lightened for racing duty, so the car weighs 2,469 pounds. Thanks to a full carbon fiber body, that’s approximately 1,000 pounds lighter than a production WRX.

Inspired by Airslayer:

Project Midnight was inspired by ‘Airslayer,’ a 2020 WRX STI that starred in the viral video Gymkhana 2020, performing wild stunts, including a 230-foot jump where its active rear wing controlled the car’s airborne attitude.

While Airslayer did break records at timed events like the iconic Mt. Washington Hillclimb, its real mission as a Gymkhana star meant it was built to be the jack of all trades. So the question arose: What if a bespoke WRX was reimagined as the current WRX with a singular focus on pure tarmac speed? And what if it were piloted by Scott Speed – a Subaru Motorsports USA driver with a star background in everything from F1 to rallycross? Thus, Project Midnight was born.

Aerodynamic and Performance Enhancements:

The car incorporates a host of aero modifications on its bespoke carbon fiber body. The fascia blends into dramatically flared wheel arches with winglets and a large front spoiler for a widebody look. The rear wing is a heavily revised version of the one seen on Subaru USA’s rally car. It sits on a custom-built suspension package tuned for tarmac surfaces and uses 18-inch wheels with slick rubber for maximum grip.

“Subaru Motorsports USA and the team at Vermont SportsCar have delivered an absolute beast. The car has rallycross roots when driving, 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.

Future Prospects for Subarists:

We can almost feel the increased adrenaline pumping through the veins of Subarists out there wondering if head office back in Japan can produce a down-tuned, cheaper version of this car before hybridization takes over. Subaru, are you listening?