The Subaru WRX STI Type RA NBR Special achieved a new lap record for a four-door sedan at the Nurburgring Nordschleife race track, setting a time of 6:57.5. The time was achieved using the Nürburgring timing equipment and was officially verified by track officials.

The WRX STI Type RA NBR Special was designed to show the capabilities of the Subaru sedan and all-wheel drive. This time attack car has set lap records at the Isle of Man TT, the Goodwood Festival of Speed hill climb, where it was also 3rd fastest overall, and now it has conquered the 20.6-kilometre (12.8-mile) lap around the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

The WRX STI Type RA NBR Special is a custom-built race car built by Prodrive using a standard 2017 WRX STI with a full roll cage welded into the standard WRX STI body for added strength and stiffness. The Prodrive-built time attack car is equipped with a rally spec 2.0-litre Boxer engine and Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The 2.0-litre Subaru WRC-spec produces more than 600 horsepower at 8,500 rpm. Prodrive calculated the top speed at the ’Ring would be 288 km/h (179 mph) at 8,500 rpm in top gear.

The car has 9-inch-wide slick tires all around. It uses a WRC gearbox with an automatic clutch, modified with hydraulics for paddle-shift operation. Shift times are some of the fastest at 20 to 25 milliseconds.

A redesigned aero-package delivers improved handling and top speed on the NBR Special. At top speed, the whole package produces about 295 kilograms of downforce. The design includes a Drag Reduction System rear wing similar to the technology found in Formula 1 cars. With its combined electric and hydraulic operation, the wing can deploy for full downforce/drag under braking or in fast turns and then open for less downforce/drag on long straights. The driver has full control of the DRS via a steering wheel mounted control taking less than 20 milliseconds to change position fully.