Posted 11.03.2009 at 4:30 pm
19 Comments
The Subaru-based TRAX STI Ken Block's suped-up Subaru started as a basic rally car. Vermont SportsCar pushed it to 400 horsepower with a turbocharged engine and replaced the tires with cat tracks to enable rally power in alpine conditions.
Sure, you could take the lift up with the rest of the gapers and ride the designated, groomed slopes back down to the ski lodge, but then you would be lame. Rally car racer and DC Shoes co-founder Ken Block prefers something a bit less conventional, like his Subaru-based TRAX STI, the world's fastest cat track operation automobile.
Based on a race-ready Sube WRX STI, the car was tweaked by Vermont SportsCar to pack 400 horsepower, competition dampers, a turbocharged, intercooled STI engine and, of course, cat tracks where the tires used to be. Although not shown in the video below, the backcountry badass also can pull a custom fiberglass four-person sleigh that can hold four snow boarders and their gear.
The goal? Delivering boarders to backcountry locales traditional ski lifts–much less traditional automobiles–could never reach. That’s not to mention the fun you can have simply racing around in the snow with rally car speed and handling. But don’t take our word for it, check out Block’s test run in the video below. “0-60” magazine also has more pics and an interview with Block about his high-powered, high-country toy.
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it i was this guy i would be thinking... " i could use this new found invention to help out society, maybe take some eggs to an old, snowed in, granny... or i could ignore lift ticket prices and just go up the mountain in this! But how would i get it back down?..." but i dont have one.
subaru should sell this as an attachment. maybe snow nascar(im from the south)
I want to see if this thing can go atop a lake like a snow machine. That would be an epic win.
I'd give it independent breaking on the rear tiers so you can have more maneuverability and control.
this will probably be much more popular in Europe, where the rally racing lives, but they are gonna be some kinda popular here, too.
Mountain rescue is gonna love this, too, being a break with the response of a helo vs snowmobile or snowcat.
International racing on the plateau in the Antarctic?
no more snow tires :) but it mite be more expensive :( but it looks cool :0 .
Badass
talk about being ready for zombie invasion
talk about being ready for zombie invasion
from Front Royal, Virginia
Okay, borrowed from the military's experiments with Humvees, but still cool! 400 horses cool! ...and looks better. I still think that it would handle those turns on that plowed road (heck, ANY turn) better with rear-wheel, make that rear-track, steering. You might not be able to "play" at drifting, but you'd get from A to B, faster.
Yikes! it's not long in this world for that Subaru driveline, transmission, bearings and differentials. It would be an even shorter lifespan for your stock Subaru. Save your money on this one people.
400 horsepower! that is awesome. I bet a lot of thought went into the suspension. It doesnt look like a smooth ride, though.
Beecher Bowers
www.beecherbowers.com
Totally G.I. Joe!!!
Totally G.I. Joe!!!
I don't think this is very practical for avalanche rescue missions. Don't get me wrong , this is an awesome vehicle, but Ken Block's Subaru Impreza WRX STI plus everything that it has been modified with, is $150,000. Not counting the trax.
all I am thinking is too expensive for rescue missions, and what gas mileage does that thing get?