Subaru is throwing down the gauntlet at the Goodwood Festival of Speed with a WRX like no enthusiast has ever seen. Dubbed Project Midnight, this car lives up to its name with an all-carbon body that cuts weight dramatically.
At the heart of this monster is a turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine borrowed from Subaru's rallycross program. But unlike them, Project Midnight generates 670 hp. and 920 Nm of torque. Thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber, the curb weight is just 1115 kg, which is 454 kg less than the production WRX STI.
Project Midnight isn't just about raw power, though. Subaru engineers have adorned the carbon fiber bodywork with a comprehensive aerodynamic package. The front of the car features aggressive elements and a massive front splitter that directs airflow seamlessly to the dramatically widened wheel arches. The rear wing, a heavily modified version of the one used on Subaru USA's rally car, provides downforce to keep this coupe firmly planted on the tarmac. A custom-tuned suspension and slick-shod 18-inch wheels complete the track-focused transformation.
If Project Midnight's silhouette evokes a sense of déjà vu, there's a good reason for that. The Vermont SportsCar team behind this project took inspiration from Subaru's 2020 Gymkhana video featuring rallycross champion Travis Pastrana. Unlike Pastrana's aerial stunts, however, Project Midnight is built for track laps, not gravity-defying stunts.
Behind the wheel for Goodwood and other upcoming record attempts will be none other than rallycross champion and former Formula 1 driver Scott Speed. "This car is an absolute beast," Speed says. "It definitely has its rallycross roots, but the wider tires and geometry give it a unique feeling of incredible grip. It's the ultimate driving machine - half rallycross weapon, half precision sports car - pure driving pleasure."