Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo Unleashed for Gymkhana

Subaru and Hoonigan have pulled the cover off a wild, retro-inspired vision: the Brataroo 9500 Turbo. Built on the bones of a 1978 Subaru BRAT and transformed by Vermont SportsCar (VSC), the longtime rally partner of Subaru of America, this machine is not destined for showrooms. It’s a purpose-built star for the next Gymkhana film, created to leap, slide, and roar in ways that stretch the imagination. Its public debut at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas drew a crush of spectators eager to glimpse the brand’s most audacious project in years.

At the heart of the Brataroo is a rallycross-derived 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four Boxer engine. Numbers tell only part of the story, but they’re jaw-dropping nonetheless: 670 horsepower and 680 pound-feet of torque, with an upper rev range that sails past 9,500 RPM. That sky-high redline makes it the highest-revving Gymkhana car ever, and it’s married to a SADEV six-speed sequential gearbox that snaps through ratios with race-bred ferocity. Power goes to all four wheels through motorsport-grade differentials, ensuring the kind of traction that makes impossible lines feel attainable.

VSC’s fanatical approach to chassis engineering underpins it all. The Brataroo uses a chassis and integrated roll cage built to World Rally Championship safety standards, then cloaked in a full carbon-fiber body. The design marries vintage charm with purposeful aggression: the widebody was envisioned by concept artist Khyzyl Saleem (known as “The Kyza”), whose work pays homage to the original BRAT while giving it a stance worthy of modern motorsport.

The details tie the past to the present. A ‘roo bar at the nose and roof-mounted driving lights nod to the ute’s utilitarian roots, while the livery riffs on Travis Pastrana’s signature plaid in a way that feels both playful and iconic. Even the wheels contribute to the story: KMC’s design reinterprets the original BRAT’s distinctive look without sacrificing performance or durability, an essential trait when a car is built to leave the ground as often as it grips it.

Aerodynamics play a starring role. The Brataroo features advanced active aero with adjustable front fender louvers and a tunable rear wing. These components give Pastrana the ability to modify the car’s attitude in real time—vital during the long jumps and high-speed transitions that define the Gymkhana series. Managing airflow isn’t just about downforce; it’s about balance, stability, and predictability when the vehicle is airborne or rotating at the limit. In Gymkhana, that margin of control can spell the difference between a clean landing and a viral mishap.

Pastrana himself is all-in on the machine’s mission. “This BRAT’s completely unhinged – in the best way possible,” he says. “It’s got the soul of a vintage Subaru with the tech to do things no Gymkhana car has ever done. Every part of it is designed to take abuse, fly big, and come back for more. It’s hands down the craziest Gymkhana car we’ve ever built.” It’s a sentiment that underscores what the Brataroo represents: an ode to Subaru’s rally DNA, distilled for cinematic spectacle.

All of that effort is aimed squarely at the next chapter of the franchise. The Brataroo is the headline act of the upcoming Gymkhana film, titled Aussie Shred. Shot in Australia—where the original BRAT was sold as the Brumby—the film promises a fresh backdrop and a new flavor of tire smoke. Expect big air, creative lines, and the kind of precision driving that has made the series a global phenomenon. The new episode is slated to premiere on Hoonigan’s YouTube channel in early December.

For enthusiasts hoping to park one in the garage, there’s a catch: the Brataroo 9500 Turbo is a one-off. Yet its existence resonates beyond a single car. It signals Subaru’s continuing commitment to high-performance experimentation and to the spirit of rallying that has shaped the brand’s identity for decades. In a world increasingly tilted toward electrification and quiet efficiency, the Brataroo is a loud, unapologetic celebration of mechanical theater.

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