So, available from Subaru dealers starting this fall?
Photography Courtesy Subaru
What happens when you take an already wild car built for street shenanigans–the “Airslayer” from Gymkhana 2020–and improve upon the formula to create a race car with the sole purpose of going as fast as possible on tarmac?
That’s exactly what Subaru has done with its latest creation, “Project Midnight.”
“Born from the success of the record-breaking ‘Airslayer’ Gymkhana car,” explains Subaru, “Project Midnight takes things to a new level with a singular directive: outright speed.”
Powering Project Midnight is an evolution of Subaru Motorsports USA’s go-to engine for rallycross: A turbocharged, 2.0-liter flat-four rated at 670 horsepower and 680 lb.-ft. of torque. (A version of this engine, notes Subaru, helped earn the car maker the Nitro Rallycross Championship in 2021.)
Thanks to a body made of carbon fiber and a “significantly lightened chassis,” Project Midnight weighs in at just 2469 pounds–around 300 pounds lighter than Airslayer and 1000 pounds lighter than a road-going WRX.
As far as handling, Project Midnight uses a “specially derived tarmac suspension geometry,” with 18x11-inch OZ Racing Superturismo LMP magnesium wheels shod in Yokohama Advan slicks on all four corners.
Project Midnight will make its debut at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, July 11-14, with Subaru Motorsports USA driver Scott Speed behind the wheel.
“Subaru Motorsports USA and the team at Vermont SportsCar have delivered an absolute beast,” said Speed, “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.”
So, available from Subaru dealers starting this fall?
In reply to David S. Wallens :
You know, it has been a while since they offered something like the S209...
I wish this was a production car, even if in very limited numbers. Just knowing that there would be a number of them floating around somewhere and eventually becoming available for sale as used makes my heart beat more quickly.
David S. Wallens said:So, available from Subaru dealers starting this fall?
From the likely press release:
"The 2025 WRX Project Midnight tS...you'll be awestruck by the unique graphics and the 1mm larger rear sway bar and the 3% stiffer shocks and springs combination. Plus a Midnight Edition only shift knob that may produce more AWD traction and downforce than a standard WRX shift knob ... and you'll need all of that to maximize the performance of the retuned turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder, now with 274 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 3 horsepower and 1 pound feet of torque that you'll feel every time you press the 'GO FAST' pedal! Priced competitively at a suggested MSRP of $51,900, plus ADM."
Why is everything these days the "black edition" or the "midnight series" or "dark" somethingorother? The punks and the goths and the hell's angels want their color scheme back.
Then again, at least we don't have "turbo" plastered all over everything... 
3hp and 1 foot lb more? Really? All the tuners are going to be laughing at that. So that plus a shift knob and a different sway bar.
Did I miss something? When I started reading this I thaught it was going to be a monster taking down the likes of the GTR and mixing it up with the C8. But really just a rehash of Subaru stuff.
I hope Subaru makes a hot hatch under 60k that can take down some of the top dogs in the car world. That would make me smile.
dean1484 said:3hp and 1 foot lb more? Really? All the tuners are going to be laughing at that. So that plus a shift knob and a different sway bar.
I was thinking the same thing. Did I miss something?
And Subie needs to follow this up with a Project Midnight Edition street car.
prodarwin said:dean1484 said:3hp and 1 foot lb more? Really? All the tuners are going to be laughing at that. So that plus a shift knob and a different sway bar.
I was thinking the same thing. Did I miss something?
Exactly what I was thinking. But you posted while I finished my post.
In reply to prodarwin :
The sarcasm? "From the likely press release"
I thought it was funny. Only missing the fact that the bodywork was improved to be 300% more unpainted plastic cladding :P
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