In 1992 Subaru released a dramatically styled ‘experimental’ vehicle called the SVX The car was well ahead of its time technologically, but the selling price was beyond what Subaru’s brand could reasonably demand. The Subaru SVX was a commercial failure for Subaru parent company Fuji Heavy Industries, but not for lack of effort. Though the SVX had no factory supported motorsports program, it does have a connection to open-wheel racing.
To promote their new ‘grand touring’ car, Subaru collaborated with the PPG Indy Car Series and provided a pair of mildly customized 1992 Subaru SVX for pace car duties during Indy Car races. The cars were painted in an unforgettable silver-pink-purple gradient (using PGG paints, of course) with silver front wheels and purple rears.
American tuning company Roush Performance prepared the Subaru SVX for race track duties including the installation of a roll cage, racing harnesses for the purple seats, and a roof mounted roll bar. While Subaru supplied stifffer springs and heavy-duty shocks/struts to improve handling, the rest of the drivetrain remained stock including the 11″ disk brakes, 4-speed automatic transmission, and 3.3L flat-six ‘boxer’ engine.
The PPG Indy Car Series Pace Car SVX is owned by Subaru of America and is normally stored in the “Subaru Performance Attic” in Cherry Hill, New Jersey near Subaru of America’s new headquarters in Camden, New Jersey. The ultra-rare car is brought out for public appearances several times a year, and last month on June 8 2025 was shown at the Wicked Big Meet car show in Connecticut.
As big fans of open-wheel racing, we’re proud to know that the 1992 Subaru SVX in the Demaras Racing stable has a connection to Indy Car racing we love so much