Subaru is taking the BRZ rallying

Subaru is basically known to the world as a car brand because of the WRX, which is the model that has defined its history in rallying. Subaru isn’t in the top levels of rally anymore, but the WRX S4 still competes in the All-Japan Rally Championship. Subaru is replacing that car — built to the JP4 rules — in the upcoming Nara round May 8–10 with a surprising body: the BRZ.

They’re calling it the BRZ Spec.Z, and it really is a rally car in terms of engine, drive, and gearbox. It’s interesting that Subaru feels this model has the kind of pull that it should not just run as a high-downforce sports car in Super GT but also as a dirty off-road gremlin.