Subaru BRZ tS STI, more sporty, but only in Japan

The guys at Subaru have created a sportier version of their small rear-wheel-drive car, the BRZ. Dubbed BRZ tS STI, it will only reach dealerships in Japan.

This is a limited edition that enhances the car’s sporty focus in the Japanese style, with a more aggressive look and better dynamic performance.

The BRZ is a small sports car with a front-mid engine and rear-wheel drive, created in collaboration with Toyota -which has its equivalent model, the GT86- and which, from its origins, has aroused enormous enthusiasm in every market where it has been sold.

This is because the intentions of the Japanese were very clear from the start: they wanted to create -and did create- a small sports car that is relatively affordable both to buy and to maintain, where pure performance was not the absolute priority, and where the dynamic sensations were right under the skin at all times.

It is more than clear that the engineers of both brands achieved this more than amply, offering a price-to-sensation combination that is practically unbeatable. However, on several occasions it has been criticised for lacking “character”; people demanded more “hardness” in its responses.

That is why, now Subaru has launched, for the moment as a limited edition of just 300 units, the BRZ tS STI version, focused on offering an extra touch of sportiness thanks to various changes both cosmetic and chassis-related. To start with, the tS STI fits 18-inch wheels in anthracite finish, as well as new bumpers. The mirror housings are painted matte black for contrast.

Inside, the changes range from Recaro bucket seats to a specific instrument cluster. We also find a special start button and carbon fibre trim.

Mechanically, the BRZ tS STI keeps its engine intact, a 2.0 naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer that delivers 200 CV and 205 Nm. However, the braking system is upgraded by inheriting that of the current WRX STI, while the damping is now supplied by the German specialist Bilstein.

Source | Subaru

Technical specifications of this car

CoupeSubaru BRZ1 version · from 43,000 €