Subaru’s illustrious WRC era might have ended in the ’00s but the automaker is still present in different kinds of motorsport activities blessing us with beautiful race and rally-prepped models. Two of those based on the Subaru WRX were shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon and we can’t decide which one looks cooler.
Starting with the Subaru WRX NBR Challenge 2023, the track-focused model is designed for endurance racing. It will make its track debut at the Nurburgring 24 Hours race on May 20-21, competing in the SP4 class. Last year Subaru raced with the previous-gen WRX but a tire blowout forced it to abandon the race. This year they return with a new racecar, aiming for their seventh win in the series.
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Subaru WRX NBR Challenge 2023
The new model looks a lot more aggressive compared to its predecessor, thanks to the wide bodykit, the large aero components, and the cool racing livery with a matte finish. It has oversized canards, ultra-wide fenders with integrated vents, additional vents next to the signature bonnet scoop, a very tall rear wing, and a low-mounted diffuser. As a tarmac-only vehicle, it sits very close to the ground and rides on racing tires supplied by Falken. The Subaru WRX NBR Challenge 2023 will be driven by Carlo Van Damme from the Netherlands and Tim Schlick from Germany, alongside Hideki Yamauchi and Tauto Iguchi from Japan.
The second vehicle is quite different, as it was designed to compete in the Japanese Rally Championship benefiting from the change of regulations this year. The Subaru WRX Rally Challenge 2023 is also based on the latest generation of the WRX S4, with a number of modifications. The model on display in Tokyo is actually a preview of the rally car that is still under development and is expected to debut in mid-2023.
Subaru WRX Rally Challenge 2023
From the outside, the WRX Rally Challenge 2023 looks closer to the production-spec model compared to the WRX NBR Challenge 2023. Besides the fancy livery with red and black graphics on a blue shade, it features white-painted rally-spec alloy wheels shod in Yokohama Advan rubber, foglight delete, a different rear wing, a pair of vents on the bonnet, and a single exhaust pipe at the back that should deliver a throaty sound.
Both models are fitted with the turbocharged FA24 2.4-liter engine. However, each one has a different state of tuning, in line with the regulations and special needs of each motorsport series. The same applies to the chassis modifications with a bespoke setup for the suspension and the braking system.
Which WRX do you like most? Should Subaru launch a special edition of the roadgoing model inspired by its ongoing motorsport involvement? We will leave you with footage of the NBR during development since this is the only real-action video available at the moment.