Automotive

Subaru WRX STI TRAX hits the backcountry

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Subaru WRX STI TRAX
The 66mpg blast from the past - SPT delivery van
World's fastest cat track operation automobile for backcountry access for snowboarding
Subaru WRX STI TRAX
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We've seen this approach to Arctic off-roading at a concept level, but this snow-eating Subaru WRX STI is most definitely for real. The 400bhp TRAX was built by Subaru Rally Team USA's technical partner, Vermont SportsCar from a rally-prepared 2009 WRX ST. EXE-TC Group N competition rally dampers were added, the drivetrain lowered three inches and the wheels tossed in favor of a Mattracks rubber track system.

Driving what must challenge for the title of world's fastest snowmobile is a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder, turbocharged, intercooled STI engine that puts out around 400 horses and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. This is married to a KAPS 5-speed close-ratio dog-engagement gearbox and the Subaru programmable DCCD (Driver Controlled Center Differential) all-wheel drive system.

So you've got something to do in the back country, the TRAX STI also has a specially designed sleigh which can drag four people and their snowboarding gear up the slopes.

And who gets to drive this beast? That gig falls to the man who envisioned it (and keen snowboarder), Ken Block.

Looks like quite a ride. See it in action below and listen to what Block has to say about the TRAX at 0-60mag.com.

The Subaru WRX STI TRAX is on show at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas along with its polar opposite - the special SPT delivery van. Based on Subaru's 1969 micro van, the 25 horsepower, 10 x 4 foot, two-cylinder two-stroke achieves 66mpg, but it doesn't do it in a hurry.

Subaru via Autoblog.

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8 comments
bio-power jeff
i wonder if the car could be modified to carry injured people on ski slopes or during blizzards where people might need help.
robinyatesuk2003
bugger me ! no snow here in the Philippines,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,ah well
Stuart21
Mean lifetime, driven like that;
2 months.
Ed
I don't know what the big deal is...these Trex tracks have been available for almost any other 4wd vehicle for the last 10-15 years now! Heck, where I used to live, there was a guy who had these on his cherokee!
bio-power jeff
now that i think of it, i saw something very similar in the movie 'taxi 4'
mervyngosper
not to forget porsche set up on 2ww vw was very strong (bullet proof)
gadgetmind
I can see these starting to be used for the school run real soon now. Yes, totally OTT and impractical, but since when has that stopped anyone? Ian
windykites
I was surprised that the road-holding was not very impressive. There is quite a lot of side skidding. Maybe there should be some grooves in the track in line with the direction of travel, and not just at right-angles