The Subaru WRX STI Type RA NBR Special went round the 'ring in under 7 minutes
Modified Subaru WRX STI Nabs Sedan Record at Nurburgring
Nurburg, Germany – A heavily modified Subaru WRX STI set a new four-door sedan track record at the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife race course.
The Subaru WRX STI Type RA NBR Special posted a 6:57.5 time around the 12.8-mile track.
In a release, Subaru said the time was achieved using official Nurburgring timing equipment. Also, track officials verified the time.
And this isn’t the first lap record the time attack car has set. The car has records at the Isle of Man TT and Goodwood Festival of Speed hill climb under its belt.
Longtime Subaru collaborator Prodrive custom built the Type RA NBR Special using a stock WRX STI. “RA” stands for “Record Attempt,” while “NBR” is an abbreviation for Nurburgring.
A modified 2.0-liter WRC-spec flat-four boxer motor produces 600 horsepower and a 179 mph top speed.
Subaru designed the WRX STI Type RA NBR Special to showcase the capabilities of the sedan and all-wheel drive.
“We brought the WRX STI Type RA NBR Special here to set a record and call attention to the WRX STI Type RA that we will launch later this year,” said Dominick Infante, Subaru Product Communications manager. “The WRX STI Type RA promises a great deal, with improved performance and styling and even better handling dynamics than the current car.”
Subaru WRX STI Type RA
Subaru has used the the RA designation on previous performance models. It originally appeared in 1989 when a competition version Subaru Legacy broke the FIA World Speed Endurance Record.
The 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA will continue the tradition with increased performance using weight reduction, enhanced suspension and engine upgrades.
A 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer engine gives the Type RA an estimated 310 horsepower. That’s with the help of an STI-specified new cold air intake and high-flow performance exhaust.
To knock off a few pounds, Subaru added a carbon fiber roof panel and removed the spare tire.
Subaru upgraded the handling with inverted front struts and rear double wishbone suspension all with Bilstein dampers. Better stability control comes from a modified multi-mode VDC. Finally, the Brembo brake system has monoblock six-piston front calipers and dual-piston rear calipers.
Subaru will only produce 500 Type RA models for retail sale. Each one will come individually numbered with a plaque mounted on the center console.
