Subaru Sets Sedan ’Ring Lap Record

Subaru Corp. says it set a course record for a sedan at Germany’s Nurburgring track earlier this summer.

A modified Subaru WRX STI completed the challenging 12.9-mile Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in just over six minutes and 57 seconds. New Zealand-born race car driver Richie Stanaway piloted the vehicle during the record run.

The fastest time for a production sedan was set last year in an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio with a time of 7 minutes and 32 seconds. McLaren Automotive Ltd. holds the overall course record with a time of 6 minutes and 43 seconds, set with its XP1 LM prototype hybrid-electric car in June.

The record-setting Subaru WRX STI was tuned by U.K.-based Prodrive Ltd. Enhancements include a special aerodynamics package, an upgraded transmission  and a “rally-spec” turbocharger that provided 25 psi of boost to nearly double the output of the car’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine to more than 600 hp at 8.500 rpm.

Watch a video of the record here.