Under the Hood: Deconstructing the Technical Masterpiece Subaru Brataroo—Travis Pastrana’s Newest Stunt Beast
What Exactly is a Subaru BRAT?
Like many vehicles engineered for the viral Gymkhana series, this one earned its own moniker: the Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo. The prototype is a nostalgic nod to the 1978 Subaru BRAT, a classic "ute" (coupe utility) that remains a cult favorite in the US and Australia. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with family ties—it’s an acronym for Bi-Drive Recreational All-Terrain Transporter, essentially a dual-axle weekend warrior designed for the dirt.
While the original model has been out of production for decades, it’s still a total vibe for enthusiasts who love swapping in modern turbocharged Subaru hearts. However, this isn't just a backyard project; it’s a high-budget, ultra-complex prototype built by Vermont SportsCar, the technical powerhouse behind Subaru’s North American racing programs. Here is the breakdown of this mechanical marvel.
"The goal wasn't just to build a fast car, but to create a mechanical extension of Travis's imagination—something that defies physics while looking like a 70s fever dream," says a lead engineer at Vermont SportsCar.
The Engine: 670 HP and 680 lb-ft of Torque
At its heart lies a custom-built 2.0-liter Subaru boxer engine featuring a dry-sump lubrication system, a massive Garrett racing turbo, sodium-cooled valves, and DLC-coated camshafts. It’s equipped with an aggressive anti-lag system, a Cosworth ECU, and a MoTeC display. But the real kicker? This turbo monster screams all the way to a stratospheric 9,500 RPM. Very few naturally aspirated racing engines can hit those numbers, let alone a forced-induction beast.
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Drivetrain: Tougher than Reinforced Concrete
That’s not hyperbole; the proof is in the footage. During a high-stakes drift on a pier, the rear left corner of the car literally hangs over the water. The three remaining wheels battle physics and inertia to claw the Subaru back onto the pavement. The shot of a wheel spinning wildly in the air before suddenly "catching grip" in slow-mo is pure automotive cinema. The stress on the driveshaft and differential in that moment is off the charts, yet the BRATAROO shrugs it off and keeps shredding.
The stunt choreography even includes "donuts" with passengers sitting in rear-facing carbon fiber jump seats—a clever "Easter egg" referencing the original car's quirky seating. To handle this abuse, the car uses a SADEV 6-speed sequential transmission, a carbon fiber driveshaft, a triple-disc carbon clutch, and VCS/SADEV differentials front and rear.
The Body: 2,857 lbs of Active Aero Mastery
The BRATAROO weighs about as much as a compact car but packs the punch of a multi-million dollar supercar. The wide-body shell is built from scratch using carbon fiber for the chassis and polycarbonate for exterior panels, mimicking the 1978 silhouette while maintaining WRC-grade safety standards.
The standout feature is the active aerodynamics. Flaps over the front fenders and a massive rear wing adjust in real-time to control pitch during jumps. This ensures that when the "jumping Brataroo" takes flight, it returns to Earth safely and level—a crucial feature for Travis Pastrana’s high-flying lifestyle.
Chassis: Pure High-End Engineering
Landing those massive gaps requires more than just guts; it requires a world-class suspension. It’s almost surreal to watch the car stick to the ground with zero bounce after a huge drop. This is thanks to the R53 suspension, a high-end British system also found on the GMA T.50 hypercar. Every control arm is a custom-fabricated piece. The car sits on forged KMC Wheels designed to look like the original 70s four-spoke rims, hiding a massive Alcon braking system with 343mm rotors.
Interior: 1978 Retro-Chic Meets Modern Tech
The cabin is a masterclass in retro-modernism. While most race cars settle for a bare carbon slab, this interior honors the original's soul. The carbon fiber dashboard perfectly replicates the contours of the 1978 model, complete with authentic wood veneer accents. The quick-release steering wheel features the vintage Subaru Pleiades logo.
The attention to detail is chef’s kiss: there’s even an original-style radio. Most impressively, the HVAC controls look stock but have been repurposed to control the suspension height, torque distribution, and active aero angle of attack. All these metrics are displayed on a digital cluster designed with 70s-style graphics. The livery and body details are something you really need to savor for yourself—they are a true work of art.
"It’s the ultimate flex of engineering and nostalgia. It’s not just a car; it’s a piece of pop-culture history re-imagined for the modern era," notes a lifestyle contributor for Vogue.
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