Video: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Versus The Nürburgring

Right in time for your lunch break, we now present a Subaru Impreza WRX STI (sedan!!) tearing around the Nürburgring at the hands of four-time World Rally Champion Tommi Mäkinen. You can thank us later.

The video depicts the Finnish rally god cracking off a seven minute and fifty-five second lap around the 13-mile track, shaving off a full four seconds from the previous record for an STI.

As for the vehicle, it is a tester that features upgrades from the JDM R205 and Spec C. That means stickier tires, lighter wheels, a strut tower bar, a bigger turbo, six-piston brake calipers, and aerodynamic upgrades (including an under-body cover).

Scroll down for the official press release from Subaru, and the lap video.

Subaru Releases Test Footage of Advanced Subaru WRX STI
Research and Development from Nürburgring, Germany

CHERRY HILL, N.J., June 8, 2010 – Subaru today released footage covering advanced research and development carried out at the Nürburgring’s racetrack in Germany, using a 2011MY Subaru WRX STI 4-door (sedan) test vehicle. Subaru has been using the famous Nordschleife course since 1992 for advanced R&D as well as tests of the WRX and WRX STI models. The video uploaded on the Subaru Global Site www.subaru-global.com features this year’s development work. It is presented as a highlight of Subaru’s persistent effort to stretch vehicle performance to unprecedented levels.

The concept of the 2011MY WRX STI is “The Fastest WRX STI Ever.” At Subaru, the phrase “Fastest” refers to more than just top speed or maximum engine output. It implies driving with confidence. The WRX STI can be taken to its “fastest ever” performance by providing the driver with total driving control with confidence. Major upgrades to the 2011MY WRX STI focused on the chassis and suspension set-up, and tests at the Nürburgring demonstrated the supreme overall dynamics and linear behavior of the new STI. Tommi Mäkinen, the legendary four-time World Rally Champion, piloted the test vehicle for the development. He commented, “The car was controllable with precise and faithful handling even on tricky corners. I could easily predict the car’s behavior. That is exactly what Subaru is offering, confidence. As a result, the 2011MY WRX STI test vehicle recorded 7’55’’00, Subaru’s fastest lap time ever, which is 4 seconds faster than the previous fastest time recorded in 2004.”

The 2011MY WRX STI 4-door will go on sale world-wide this summer. Upgrades to the 4-door version will be carried over to the 5-door model.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.