The WRX Project Midnight is the super subie of your dreams
Subaru Motorsports has unveiled a spectacular project in collaboration with Vermont SportsCar, a thoroughly modified example of a 2024 WRX that succeeds the infamous Airslayer, dubbed "Project Midnight."
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Project Midnight builds upon the success of its predecessor, the wicked “Airslayer” Gymkhana car. The Airslayer, based on a 2020 Subaru WRX STI, became an internet sensation with its mind-boggling stunts in the Gymkhana 2020 video. Famously, it featured in a remarkable 230-foot jump during which its active rear wing controlled the car’s attitude mid-air. However, while the Airslayer was versatile, Project Midnight narrows its focus to one objective: achieving pure tarmac speed.
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Under the hood, Project Midnight houses a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter flat-four engine. Producing a staggering 670 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque, this 4-pot represents the latest evolution of Subaru’s highly successful rallycross engine. This powerplant helped a certain Scott Speed secure the Nitro Rallycross Teams Championship for Subaru in 2021. It is also renowned for its ability to rev up to 9,500 rpm and its unfathomably cool flame-spitting hood-exit exhaust
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For any car in pursuit of outright, uncompromised speed, weight is key. Weighing in at just 2,469 pounds, Project Midnight is nearly 300 pounds lighter than the Airslayer and a remarkable 1,000 pounds lighter than the standard WRX. This significant reduction in weight is a result of a custom carbon fiber body and a meticulously lightened chassis. So, Power: check. Weight: check. Now onto the aero.
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Aerodynamics, evidently, plays a crucial role in Project Midnight’s design. The car sports an ultra-wide aerodynamic bodywork and a dramatically enlarged version of the WRX ARA24 gravel rally car's wing. These additions likely produce healthy downforce figures, not that Subaru has discussed them. Additionally, the car’s suspension geometry is specially set up to optimize performance on paved surfaces, ensuring that every aspect of its design contributes to its primary mission of tarmac performance. The Project Midnight rolls on 18-inch OZ Racing Superturismo LMP magnesium wheels, wrapped in 280/650R18 Yokohama ADVAN slicks.
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Piloting this high-performance machine is none other than Scott Speed, a former F1 driver and rallycross champion. Speed’s extensive experience and success in various motorsport disciplines should prove helpful when he wrangles this beast of a car at Goodwood later this week. Reflecting on his experience with the car, Speed said, “Subaru Motorsports USA and the team at Vermont SportsCar have delivered an absolute beast. When driving the car, it clearly has rallycross roots, but the wider tires, track, and geometry give it a very unique feel and incredible grip. The ultimate driving machine; half RX, half sports car – a true joy to drive.”
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