Under the hood, Project Midnight features a 2.0-liter flat-four engine from Subaru's rallycross team, producing 670 horsepower and 680 pound-feet (908 Nm) of torque. The turbocharged engine revs up to 9,500 rpm, powering all four wheels. The car's weight has been reduced to 2,469 pounds (1,120 kilograms), about 1,000 pounds (453 kilograms) lighter than a standard WRX.
The carbon fiber body is equipped with various aerodynamic upgrades, including winglets, a massive front spoiler, and aggressively flared wheel arches for a widebody look. The rear wing is a modified version of the one used on Subaru USA's rally car. Project Midnight features a custom suspension tuned for tarmac and rides on 18-inch wheels with slick tires for optimal grip.
This car draws inspiration from Subaru's 2020 Gymkhana video with Travis Pastrana, created by the team at Vermont SportsCar. Unlike its airborne predecessor, Project Midnight is designed for ground performance. With rallycross champion and former F1 driver Scott Speed behind the wheel, Subaru plans to tackle the Goodwood hill climb and pursue other records in the future.
“Subaru Motorsports USA and the team at Vermont SportsCar have delivered an absolute beast," said Speed. "When driving the car it clearly has rallycross roots, but the wider tires, track, and geometry give it a very unique feel and incredible grip. The ultimate driving machine; half RX, half sports car – a true joy to drive."
Project Midnight will officially debut in person on July 11 at Goodwood.
Source: Subaru U.S.