Subaru Corporation's motorsports subsidiary, Subaru Tecnica International (STI), will participate in the 45th Nürburgring 24-Hour Race in Germany this weekend, with an All-Wheel Drive WRX STI.

It is Subaru's 10th consecutive year in the race, with the WRX STI running in the SP3T class, for turbocharged vehicles up to 2.0 litres.

The team is aiming for its third consecutive win in the class and its fifth overall.

To improve acceleration and maximum speed, the WRX STI has increased engine output, paddle shifters and enhanced transmission performance, as well as optimized chassis geometry, improved stiffness balance, reduced body weight, lowered moment of inertia, and increased front downforce, among other improvements.

The changes are aimed at maximizing the WRX STI's inherent speed and responsiveness.

Shigeo Sugaya of STI will manage the team, as he did in 2016.

The drivers will be Carlo van Dam (Netherlands), Marcel Lasée (Germany), Tim Schrick (Germany), and Hideki Yamauchi (Japan), who were all involved in the victories of the past two years.

In addition, six mechanics selected from Subaru dealers around Japan will again join the team.

Subaru has had dealer technicians participate in overseas auto races since 1990 - a unique initiative aimed at delivering the "Enjoyment and Peace of Mind" of Subaru cars to customers by improving the technical skills of mechanics.

Through to the end of 2016, 351 Subaru mechanics had taken part in Safari Rallies, World Rally Championships and the Nürburgring 24-Hour Races.

WRX STI NBR CHALLENGE 2017 VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS