The Gymkhana series of stunt-driving videos has featured old vehicles before. Of course, these have been modified to have the speed and agility needed by rally-driver Ken Block to do his signature maneuvers. But even though the tire-shredding baton has been passed on to X Games gold medalist Travis Pastrana, the tradition of using classic cars continues.
For this year’s Gymkhana episode, Pastrana will be using a very unlikely machine: a Subaru GL wagon (Leone in other markets). The GL/Leone was one of the first vehicles to be exported by the automaker. It featured an early version of the automaker’s now-famous all-wheel-drive system. Its horizontally opposed engine sits low in the centerline of the car, and is mated to a transmission that sends power symmetrically to all four wheels.
As expected, Pastrana’s GL gets a little spruced up to be able to handle the rigors of stunt driving. The track has been widened for more stability, and the wheelbase has been shortened so the car can initiate slides more easily. In this video, Pastrana says that the car has around 900hp, which should be more than enough to get the tires smoking the moment he stabs the throttle.
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