Subaru Debuts First 2015 Rallycross STI at the New York International Auto Show

CHERRY HILL, N.J., April 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America teased motorsports enthusiasts at the New York International Auto Show with the debut of a 2015 WRX STI sedan prepared in Rallycross Supercar Trim, which they will enter in the RedBull Global Rallycross Championship this fall.

The 2015 Rallycross STI was prepared by Vermont SportsCar, home of Subaru Rally Team USA.  External design cues include a custom widebody, an STI wing integrated with carbon fiber aerodynamic enhancements, and a classic rally car-style roof ventilation scoop. The 2015 Rallycross STI will feature a 600HP turbocharged Subaru boxer engine mated to a sequential gearbox with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The 2015 Rallycross STI will also feature an advanced rally-spec suspension. The car rides on Method Race Wheels, wrapped with the new Yokohama GRC spec competition tire.

"This unique livery design is a joint project between Subaru, the RedBull Global Rallycross Championship, and NBC for the New York International Auto Show" Stated Rob Weir, Subaru Motorsports Marketing Manager. "At Subaru, we are very encouraged by the direction RedBull GRC is going. We're looking forward to new race venues and a more intimate experience for our fans."

The RedBull Global Rallycross Championship recently announced NBC Sports Group as their television partner. Nine of the ten rounds will air on NBC, with encore presentations airing on NBCSN. NBCSN will also air the Rally America Championship, which Subaru has won the title seven of the last eight years. "We are excited about the collaboration between RedBull GRC, team stakeholders and NBC Sports Group, and look forward to a successful season." said Gary Quinn, Vice President, Programming and Owned Properties, NBC Sports Group.  

GRC tracks feature some of the most diverse and technical challenges in the world of motorsport. Between half a mile and a mile in length, they feature a mixture of dirt and tarmac, as well as various other obstacles. GRC cars feature 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive; nearly the same layout found in the Subaru WRX STI.

Subaru Rally Team USA drivers Bucky Lasek & Sverre Isachsen will begin their RedBull GRC season in the 2014 WRX STI, transitioning to the 2015 WRX STI this fall. David Higgins and Travis Pastrana, who compete in the Rally America Championship, may contend select RedBull GRC rounds for Subaru as well. The first Global Rallycross round will be held May 18 in Barbados, in conjunction with Top Gear Live, and will air on NBC May 24 at 1:00 p.m. EST. Visit subaru.com/rally or redbullglobalrallycross.com for the full season schedule.

About Subaru Rally Team USA

Subaru Rally Team USA is managed by Vermont SportsCar and proudly supported by Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru Tecnica International (STI), Method Race Wheels, RECARO, PIAA, Race Proven, Royal Purple, and eBay Motors.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com. 

Additional information and news from Subaru is available at http://www.media.subaru.com.

Rob Weir
Motorsports Manager
Subaru of America, Inc.
(856) 488-3453
rwei@subaru.com

Dominick  Infante
National Manager, Product Communications
Subaru of America, Inc.
(856) 488-8615
dinfante@subaru.com

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SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.