The crazier we are…
Naturally, as he takes advantage of the latest partnership with Porsche, Hoonigan Racing and Ken Block still diligently tend to the tradition of Gymkhana videos. Remember, they first started out with a Subaru Impreza, but then quickly moved on to all sorts of monster Ford builds. But when Ken Block passed the baton to his equally daring friend Travis Pastrana, the circle came full circle and Subaru of America was back in slow motion action. Pastrana started out as a supercross legend, but then got into motorsport, winning the US rally championship on several occasions, not to mention his exploits at the X Games and even freelancing in NASCAR and rallycross.
A totally shameless granny
The new beast is a 1983 Subaru GL five-door station wagon, a pure youngtimer popular in the USA nicknamed “Family Huckster.” The actual nickname is less important than what it can do, of course. This retro rally machine is yet another crazy project from Hoonigan Industries and Subaru of America, a vintage one that could easily rip the V8 heads off a few contemporary supercars.
Beneath the aerodynamic GL wagon look with plenty of decals and wide bodywork hides an 862 horsepower behemoth. This engine was already in use in December 2020, when Travis Pastrana drove a Subaru WRX STI equipped with an 862 hp turbo flat-four, on the streets of Annapolis, Maryland. A most spectacular trip including in particular, a giant jump over a canal taken by a speedboat. This generous boulder has also proven itself in luxury competitions, as it broke the Mt. Washington Hillclimb record and snatched second place at Goodwood’s Hillclimb Shootout. Now the same 862 horsepower 4-cylinder boxer engine mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox and all-wheel drive is tucked under the vintage but bonkers styling. To be compared to the Flat 4 1.8 52 horsepower of the original model…
crazy
The Hoonigan Subaru did a remarkable debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, because it was found that the fins located above the wheel arches and on the roof unfold during the braking phases, like the K2000 aero brake! This Hoonigan looks like Marty’s DeLorean from the front and from the back, it looks like a Delta HF Integrale! we just have to wait patiently for Travis Pastrana, Subaru and Hoonigan to do their Gymkhana show.
So, aside from the “casual” 862 horsepower boxer engine, sequential gearbox and AWD system, there’s also a lot more crazy stuff with this version. For example, the retro chassis has been completely upgraded to survive hardships, modern WRC technology is invisible but very present, and the bodywork is made entirely from carbon fiber and fitted to an advanced tubular frame, as well as the aerodynamics active.
These include the carbon fiber roof rack which has been specially developed to direct air to the engine’s cooling needs (via a NACA roof duct!). The dash is recreated in blue carbon fiber to resemble the original GL unit, and the 12-inch digital instrument panel is also packed full of retro vibes. This raging retrowave Subaru rolls on bespoke KMC wheels made in the same 80s style.
to summarize
Hoonigan Racing brings us yet another delirious monster, based on an old Subaru station wagon from the 80s, this time pumped up with 862 horsepower and flashy active aerodynamics. It is Travis Pastrana, delirious friend of Ken Block, who will be in charge of piloting the beast.
