Don’t look now, but there’s a go-faster Subaru WRX STI just over the horizon. Per usual, the Japanese superhero is labeled with a string of letters that promise more speed than the standard model, rocking the moniker Type RA NBR. The Subie faithful will be quick to recognize the name – the last time we saw it was in 2013 with the tS Type RA, a model limited to the Japanese market. Prior to that was the original Type RA from the ‘90s, a tuned-up, hardcore iteration of the GC8 WRX. This latest version is framed as an all-out time attack racer, and you can preview its AWD turbo goodness in the above-featured 2-minute teaser video.

By the look of it, the new Type RA won’t be street legal, but word is it will be coming stateside. Cue fan boy happy dance. Subaru also says it’s gearing up for a run at setting a new record at the Nurburgring for four-door sedans later this year. The automaker has yet to give us an official spec sheet, but more info is expected to drop next week. In the meantime, read on for a little speculation on what this thing is packing.

Continue reading to learn more about the Subaru WRX STI Type RA NBR Special Edition.

The Full Story

In the video, we see the new Type RA testing at a foggy Silverstone and a soaking wet Nurburgring, presumably in hopes of getting it all sorted for the forthcoming record run at the ‘Ring (in the dry, that is). From the footage, we can glean at least a few of the technical details.

First up, the exterior is seriously revamped, boasting extra vents in the hood, a carbon fiber roof, a massive splitter in the nose, and an equally large diffuser in the rear. The rear spoiler is also made from carbon fiber, and appears to offer some DRS-esque active motion to boost top speed in the straights – a feature that’ll surely pay dividends on the ‘Ring’s insane high-speed sections.

In the corners, the new Type RA will get beefy race-spec suspension from Bilstein, complete with tons of adjustability. Providing the grip are uber-gummy race slicks.

Inside, it’s all business, with a stripped-out cabin, full roll cage, race buckets, racing harness, and digital gauges behind the steering wheel.

Note: standard Subaru WRX STI engine pictured here.

One of the big questions is what Subaru has planned for the turbocharged flat-four engine under the hood. The STI has been criticized a good deal over the past few years for remaining static at 305 horses of output, so I’m excited to see what the final number will be on the new Type RA. All things considered, if Subaru plans on breaking some ‘Ring records, the Type RA is gonna need quite a bit more.

What do you think? Is the new Type RA worth the hype? Let us know in the comments.

Read our full review on the standard SUbaru WRX STI here.