CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- After a year
of secret development, the cover comes off Subaru Rally Team
USA's new 2015 WRX STI rallycross
car at the 2015 New York Auto Show, set to compete in Red Bull
Global Rallycross and X Games Rallycross.
Dubbed VT15x, this is the third evolution of an STI-based
Rallycross car for Subaru in four years built by technical partner
Vermont SportsCar. "We made huge strides in durability and
competitiveness last season," stated Vermont SportsCar Team
Principal Lance Smith. "The VT15x is
almost entirely-new technology. This car is a revolution, not just
an evolution."
Debuting in Bucky Lasek's new
livery, the VT15x features a 580 Horsepower 2.0L Subaru Boxer engine, a 6-speed SADEVĀ® sequential
gearbox and all-wheel drive. Other features include a
rallycross-spec widebody, and METHODĀ® Race Wheels. The VT15x is
capable of 0-60 in just two seconds. The new car will meet GRC and
FIA Rallycross homologation standards.
Updates and revisions to the VT15x are widespread compared to
the VT14x version ran by Subaru Rally Team USA last year. Optimizing weight balance,
center-of-gravity, suspension geometry, and aerodynamics were key
focuses to improve handling; while increased engine power and
response led to gains in overall speed and launching capability at
the start. "The foundation of every great race car is the chassis
you start with. Using the 2015 WRX STI, we have seen gains in
handling and cornering in both our stage rally and rallycross cars;
which is a testament to advancements in design from the factory,"
stated Smith.
Subaru Tecnica International (STI), the performance company for
the brand, has stepped up their technical support of rallycross
development with Vermont SportsCar; bringing their WRC and circuit
racing expertise to the Subaru rallycross program. "STI is
increasing their support of our U.S. based efforts in rallycross.
Their expertise and development resources will take our program to
an even more competitive level," stated Rob
Weir, Subaru Motorsports Marketing Manager.
Subaru Rally Team USA showed a
steady rise in performance last season, claiming five Red Bull GRC
podiums including a Silver Medal at X Games, and victory for
Sverre Isachsen at the GRC Seattle
round. Bucky Lasek and Sverre Isachsen will again lead the factory race
effort with Travis Pastrana joining
them at X Games, and select rounds to be announced soon.
"Confidence is high within the Subaru camp that we have a winning
package of driver talent driving faster cars for this season," said
Weir. "Our goal in 2014 was getting to the front row of every final
and being on the podium. This year, our only goal is
winning."
Subaru Rally Team USA will
begin their 2015 rallycross season at the first Red Bull Global
Rallycross round May 31 in
Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Immediately
followed by X Games June 5 in
Austin, TX. For more details visit
subaru.com/rally.
Full coverage of Subaru Rally Team USA is available on the Subaru Motorsports
App. To download from the iTunes App store, click here, for
Android App on Google Play store, click here. Follow the team
on Instagram @srtusa and Twitter @srtusa.
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,
Royal Purple, DMACK Tires, RECARO,
PIAA and Race Proven. Follow the team online
at www.subaru.com/rally.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy
Industries Ltd. of Japan.
Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and
distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a
network of more than 600 retailers 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 media.subaru.com.
Additional information and news from Subaru is available at
http://www.media.subaru.com.
Rob Weir
Motorsports Marketing 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.