Sometimes a piece of automotive media is bigger than cars, and each Gymkhana film feels like its own cultural touchpoint. We’re talking the longevity of a top-rated network sitcom, the all-action pace of a skate tape, and the spectacle of a stunt show all born out of both a desire to rally and an extreme sports brand for certified nutjobs. There will never be another driver like the late, great Ken Block, a wheelman of icy precision and measured control. But you know what? The sheer chaos of Travis Pastrana’s style is equally satisfying. That’s right, Gymkhana is coming back, and this time the co-star’s an absolutely bonkers Subaru BRAT.
While this looks like a Subaru ute from the 1970s, it’s actually a cleverly disguised one-off race car. Vermont Sports Car crafted a proper bespoke chassis complete with a WRC-spec roll cage because Travis Pastrana is a lunatic, then clothed it in ’70s-inspired finned and gilled carbon fiber coachwork penned by Khyzyl Saleem. You know, one of the people behind the beguiling TWR Supercat.
So what’s under the hood? A two-liter flat four. It’s what makes a Subaru a Subaru, yeah? Mind you, this one’s quite different than the one you’d find in an early-aughts WRX. For one, it revs to a maniacal 9,500 RPM. That’s 500 higher than a Honda S2000 and tied with the limiter on the Lamborghini Revuelto. Oh, and this boxer four is force-fed so aggressively, it churns out 670 horsepower and 680 lb.-ft. of torque. Supercar numbers, ski car looks. Or, maybe not quite ski car looks, because the attention to aerodynamics here is serious. Not only are the flaps above the front tires active, this tire-incinerating creation has two different rear wing packages to suit the mood and conditions.
Perhaps the most surprising thing about the Brataroo 9500 Turbo (seriously, that’s its real name) is that it looks surprisingly tasteful. Sure, the aero elements hanging off the carbon fiber fender flares will make a 911 GT3 RS blush, the coachwork’s at least 20 percent air intake, and the blend of bull bar and air dam is a bit out there, but it all just sort-of comes together. The sunset-look livery certainly helps, as do the classic yellow-cover lights perched atop the sport bar.
Oh, and then there are all the little touches. The taped-up headlamp lenses, the showa-era-inspired four-spoke wheels vaguely reminiscent of early SSR designs, the occasional dash of brightwork, the whip antennae, the faux wood trim on the dashboard … there’s real homage here, and knowing that BRAT parts aren’t exactly thick on the ground, some of the bright trim must’ve needed real time to get right.
The bottom line? This is one sweet Subaru, but more importantly, Gymkhana is back in December, and it’s coming straight out of Down Under. Wait a second. Australia? A ute? Shades of Project Cactus, anyone? Regardless, long live the spirit of Ken Block, and as long as you’re hooning responsibly, don’t stop.
Top graphic image: Subaru
Seems like there ought to be a link somewhere, no?
I hope there are some terrified passengers in the rear seats, because that’s what makes it a Brat.
A girl in art school had one and kept a pair of fishing poles in the back for passengers to hold driving around LA
In the glovebox
Maybe the wings help, but the brat is shaped like a wing with heavy camber. Like 100mph was a drift fest with mine it had so little grip. Downhill on the interstate, uphill slotting behind a semi below the speedlimit.