In case you’ve never heard of Hoonigan, Gymkhana, or Travis Pastrana, here’s the short version: imagine Hollywood-level stunt driving, real cars, and zero CGI. They are essentially high-budget stunt reels, think jumping over helicopters, drifting around and through buildings, and threading gaps most drivers would dare to attempt in the real world.
It all started as a side project over a decade ago between late rally driver Ken Block and a small team of engineering geniuses who turned tire smoke into viral content on social media. They redefined how the internet sees car culture and now, after a brief hiatus, Hoonigan is back, and this time, the action finally moves to Australia, the birthplace of the word “hoon”.
At the ongoing SEMA 2025 show in Las Vegas, the team unveiled its latest star: the Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo. It’s a modern interpretation of the classic Subaru BRAT (Bi-Drive Recreational All-Terrain Transporter), re-engineered for Pastrana’s upcoming Gymkhana: Aussie Shred film, premiering December 9 on Hoonigan’s YouTube channel.
What you’re looking at is a 670-horsepower, 9,500-RPM (their highest-revving Gymkhana car to date) stunt weapon designed to slide, jump, and survive anything an Australian outback shoot can throw at it. Under the hood sits a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine built by Vermont SportsCar, Subaru’s longtime rally partner. Power routes through a six-speed sequential gearbox and an all-wheel drive system. The entire chassis and body are custom-engineered from carbon fiber to keep weight down while retaining stiffness.
The Brataroo is kitted-out with active aerodynamic panels that move mid-air to control flight angle, and dual adjustable wings for downforce or stunt flexibility. The widebody design by the legendary internet sensation Khyzyl Saleem (The Kyza) gives it a futuristic yet nostalgic look, with a retro livery inspired by the 1970s OG BRAT and even kangaroos flashing Pastrana’s signature thumbs up.
It rolls on a custom set of forged monoblock wheels from KMC Wheels, designed as a modern tribute to the four-spoke style seen on rally cars from the late 1970s. These 18-inch wheels are fitted with Yokohama ADVAN A052 or APEX tires, chosen based on the specific stunt and surface requirements. Inside, the cabin blends vintage details with race tech: a carbon dash, reimagined HVAC knobs for aero control, and even an old-school CB radio.
For fans and first-timers alike, this marks a new chapter for the Hoonigan franchise. It’s also a tribute to Ken Block, whose creative legacy built this empire of smoke and chaos. Whether you know the history or not, one thing’s clear: Aussie Shred is shaping up to be the most explosive Gymkhana yet.
Images: Hoonigan
