Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo Unveiled: 670 Horsepower Rally Machine with Active Aero

A New Era of Controlled Chaos

Subaru Motorsports USA and Hoonigan have revived the Gymkhana franchise with Travis Pastrana at the helm of a purpose-built machine: the Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo. Revealed at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, this latest iteration is set to redefine precision driving stunts and viral automotive entertainment.

The car is no mere revival of Subaru’s late-1970s BRAT pickup. It’s a complete reengineering exercise—a carbon-fiber, rallycross-grade monster designed to dominate Australia’s most iconic backdrops.

The Powertrain: Precision and Punishment

At the core lies a turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer engine, built by Vermont SportsCar. The numbers are staggering:

• 670 horsepower
• 680 lb-ft of torque
• Redline: 9,500 RPM

The Brataroo’s motor channels power through a six-speed sequential SADEV gearbox paired with motorsport-grade differentials. The setup enables the car to launch, drift, and fly with mechanical precision.

For perspective, that power-to-weight ratio puts the Brataroo closer to a WRC car than a production Subaru WRX. Every component was built to survive airborne abuse and high-speed slides, ensuring repeat performance during Gymkhana’s high-risk stunts.

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Design: Retro Roots, Radical Execution

The Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo retains the distinctive lines of the 1978 BRAT but reinvents them under modern aerodynamics. Concept artist Khyzyl Saleem (The Kyza) led the redesign, merging Subaru heritage with aggressive motorsport styling.

Key design elements include:

• A full carbon-fiber body to minimize weight
• A widebody shell engineered for high-speed stability
• Active aerodynamics—a Gymkhana first

The livery pays homage to Subaru’s 1970s roots, featuring retro Outback-inspired graphics with kangaroos giving Pastrana’s signature thumbs-up. Brand partners like KMC Wheels, Yokohama, and Mercury Marine add visual punch and technical depth.

Active Aero: Airborne Control

Gymkhana cars have always balanced grip and theatrics. The Brataroo introduces real-time aerodynamic adjustment—a first for the franchise.

Front active fender louvers can pivot to manage downforce mid-flight or mid-drift. At the rear, two interchangeable adjustable wings provide options for different stunt scenarios:

When extended, the larger wing even widens its surface area, increasing aerodynamic stability during jumps—critical in a series where cars often spend as much time in the air as on the ground.

Wheels and Grip

The Brataroo rides on custom 18-inch forged KMC monoblocks—a nod to Subaru’s 1970s rally heritage. Depending on terrain, it runs Yokohama ADVAN A052 or APEX tires, chosen to match the stunt surface.

This configuration allows Pastrana to switch seamlessly between tarmac precision and off-road chaos, maintaining control across every skid and jump.

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Cockpit: Heritage Meets Control

Inside, the design strikes a careful balance between nostalgia and functionality. The carbon-fiber dashboard integrates flax-composite wood-grain accents, referencing the utilitarian charm of the original BRAT.

Functional retro touches include:

• Restored OEM radio
• Repurposed HVAC controls (now operating the active aero)
• Uniden CB radio—a period-correct link to 1970s Subaru history

Every control, switch, and display supports Pastrana’s focus on timing, angle, and throttle modulation.

Travis Pastrana’s Perspective

“This BRAT’s completely unhinged—in the best way possible,” Pastrana said. “It’s got the soul of a vintage Subaru with the tech to do things no Gymkhana car has ever done.”

He’s not exaggerating. With 9,500 RPM at his disposal and real-time aerodynamic control, the Brataroo represents the most complex and capable Gymkhana car ever built.

Tribute to a Legacy

The new film, titled “Aussie Shred,” continues the creative legacy started by Ken Block, who transformed Gymkhana from a personal project into a global phenomenon. Subaru and Hoonigan aim to honor that heritage while pushing the series into new territory.

Expect the Hoonigan YouTube premiere in early December 2025, where fans will see Pastrana tackle Australian landmarks and outback terrain in spectacular fashion.

Technical Specifications

Approximate build cost estimates, including engineering and design, would likely exceed $750,000 USD, though Subaru has not confirmed official figures.

The Bigger Picture

For Subaru Motorsports USA, the Brataroo 9500 Turbo serves as both a brand statement and a technological showcase. It links the company’s off-road legacy with modern engineering precision.

In an era when most manufacturers chase EV efficiency or digital interfaces, Subaru and Hoonigan are doing something different—pushing the limits of combustion, control, and creativity.

As Gymkhana returns to global screens, the message is clear: controlled chaos, executed with data-driven engineering, still defines automotive excitement.