LAS VEGAS – November 4, 2025
The king of tire-shredding chaos is back. Hoonigan and Subaru Motorsports USA have officially reignited the world-famous Gymkhana franchise, unveiling an all-new, purpose-built machine — the Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo — at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Set to star in the upcoming Gymkhana: Aussie Shred, the next installment in the viral film series will take place across Australia, the birthplace of the term “hoon.” Behind the wheel, Travis Pastrana returns for his third bespoke Gymkhana Subaru — this time driving a completely re-engineered 1978 Subaru BRAT designed to fly higher, drift harder, and push Gymkhana’s brand of chaos to new extremes.
An Airborne, 9,500-RPM Monster
The Brataroo 9500 Turbo is far more than a nostalgic tribute — it’s a technological showcase. Built by Vermont SportsCar (VSC) in collaboration with Subaru of America, the widebody, all-carbon machine is powered by a rallycross-spec 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four that screams to 9,500 rpm and delivers 670 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque.
Power runs through a six-speed sequential SADEV transmission and an advanced all-wheel-drive system with motorsport-grade differentials. As with every Gymkhana build, the emphasis is on performance and punishment: the Brataroo was engineered to drift, jump, and survive the kind of airborne abuse only Pastrana can deliver.
Engineering for Flight and Fury
The Brataroo’s chassis began life as a Roadster Shop FAST TRACK Stage III design, reworked by VSC into a certified WRC-grade unibody with a full roll cage. The team widened the bodywork by two inches up front and 3.5 inches at the rear, and extended the wheelbase by 1.5 inches to improve handling balance.
A first for the Gymkhana series, the Brataroo integrates active aerodynamics that adjust on the fly — literally. Front fender louvers pivot to fine-tune balance in midair, while dual interchangeable rear wings provide adjustable downforce for different stunts. One wing maximizes aerodynamic grip for high-speed runs; the other is tuned for the signature drifting and jumping sequences that have made Gymkhana famous.
Retro Style Meets Modern Aggression
Designed by digital artist Khyzyl Saleem (The Kyza), the Brataroo’s bodywork merges 1970s Subaru nostalgia with futuristic aggression. The widebody panels, finished in BASF’s custom “Bootleg Black” and accented with “Grab-Her Green” trim, pay homage to the BRAT’s adventurous spirit while adding a cinematic edge. The livery — complete with kangaroos giving Pastrana’s thumbs-up — captures the car’s Australian setting with tongue-in-cheek humor.
The Brataroo rides on 18-inch forged KMC monoblock wheels, wrapped in Yokohama ADVAN A052 or APEX tires, depending on the terrain. Beneath the carbon-fiber skin, Fox RS coilovers and Brembo brakes ensure control when the stunts get serious.
Inside the Madness
The interior reinterprets the 1978 BRAT’s simplicity with modern motorsport technology. The carbon-fiber dash features flax-composite wood-grain accents, a restored OEM radio, and repurposed HVAC controls that now operate the car’s active aero systems. A period-correct Uniden CB radio, Dakota Digital gauges, and a Ringbrothers “ENYO” crushed-carbon steering wheel tie together the old-school and the futuristic.
“This BRAT’s completely unhinged — in the best possible way,” said Travis Pastrana. “It’s got the heart of a vintage Subaru but the capability to do things no Gymkhana car has ever done. Every piece of it is built to fly, slide, and survive the next crazy idea we throw at it.”
A Tribute to a Legacy
The Brataroo’s debut marks the beginning of “Gymkhana Season”, a new era for the franchise that began with the late Ken Block’s groundbreaking vision. Pastrana and Hoonigan promise the next chapter will continue to evolve the series’ mix of creativity, danger, and absurd driving stunts.
The new film, Gymkhana: Aussie Shred, premieres this December on the Hoonigan YouTube channel, delivering the same outrageous energy that made the series a global phenomenon — now with a high-flying Subaru BRAT leading the charge.
