2011 Subaru WRX STI Sets New 4-Door Nurburgring Record With 7:55 Lap Time [video]

Proving that it’s not just horsepower that makes a fast car fast, Subaru has just announced that the all-new 2011 WRX STI has completed a 7:55 lap time about the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife. Now Subaru isn’t about to get itself entangled in a contest with other automakers, simply stating that the 7:55 lap time is a personal best for the brand, surpassing its previous 7:59, set back in 2004.

That time is, however, one second ahead of the current 4-door Nurburgring record holder, the 500-hp Porsche Panamera Turbo.

Subaru is branding the 2011 STI as “The Fastest WRX STI Ever” and the numbers certainly support the claim. Updates to the 2011 model were tested and developed on the Nurburgring with the help of four-time World Rally Champion Tommi Makinen.

The 2011 WRX STI goes on sale this summer. See after the jump for a video of the record-setting Nurburgring run.

Subaru Releases Test Footage of Advanced Subaru WRX STI Research and Development from Nurburgring, Germany

CHERRY HILL, N.J., June 8 /PRNewswire/ — Subaru today released footage covering advanced research and development carried out at the Nurburgring’s racetrack in Germany, using a 2011MY Subaru WRX STI 4-door (sedan) test vehicle. Subaru has been using the famous Nordschleife course since 1992 for advanced R&D as well as tests of the WRX and WRX STI models. The video uploaded on the Subaru Global Site www.subaru-global.com features this year’s development work. It is presented as a highlight of Subaru’s persistent effort to stretch vehicle performance to unprecedented levels.

The concept of the 2011MY WRX STI is “The Fastest WRX STI Ever.” At Subaru, the phrase “Fastest” refers to more than just top speed or maximum engine output. It implies driving with confidence. The WRX STI can be taken to its “fastest ever” performance by providing the driver with total driving control with confidence. Major upgrades to the 2011MY WRX STI focused on the chassis and suspension set-up, and tests at the Nurburgring demonstrated the supreme overall dynamics and linear behavior of the new STI. Tommi Makinen, the legendary four-time World Rally Champion, piloted the test vehicle for the development. He commented, “The car was controllable with precise and faithful handling even on tricky corners. I could easily predict the car’s behavior. That is exactly what Subaru is offering, confidence. As a result, the 2011MY WRX STI test vehicle recorded 7’55”00, Subaru’s fastest lap time ever, which is 4 seconds faster than the previous fastest time recorded in 2004.”

The 2011MY WRX STI 4-door will go on sale world-wide this summer. Upgrades to the 4-door version will be carried over to the 5-door model.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.