Subaru Confirms STi Version of BRZ

Yes, there will be an STi BRZ after all
By Imthishan Giado

Subaru BRZ STi

UPDATE – Subaru has confirmed via Jalopnik that this will be a ‘Tuned by STi’ car as described in the story below, not a  full-blown stand-alone STi model. No turbocharger, no power modifications – pure handling upgrade and cosmetic upgrades. 

Ask and ye shall receive. After our previous story that Toyota has cancelled the turbo 86, Subaru has put up a teaser image on its Japanese site of a BRZ with the famous STi badges on its flanks, and an extra one on the grille. So it appears an STi version of the BRZ is coming after all, even if a corresponding TRD version of the 86/FR-S has been tabled.

Subaru BRZ STi

Note my use of the phrase, STi version – not a turbo BRZ. Previous Impreza STis have boasted stiffer suspension, bigger turbos, close-ratio gearboxes and even more ridiculous wings, things that make it faster on a rally or road course. STi means hardcore – but it doesn’t necessarily mean more power. The telling phrase on the Subaru site was a slide that said ‘Purity of Handling’, definitely indicating a revised suspension setup and more Aero, but not necessarily a turbocharged FA20 engine.

JDM blog 7Tune has purportedly spoken to Subaru insiders who claim there is no turbo coming for the STi version. Instead, the STi BRZ will be similar to concept cars Subaru has shown at Japanese events in the past. In other words expect a full suite of dress-up interior and exterior parts including different wheels, a larger wing, Recaro seats, STi-badge steering wheel, shift knob and starter button. Suspension will be courtesy Bilstein and 6-pot Brembo brakes will come as standard. But again, no extra power, not even a fruitier exhaust. Essentially, this will be a very mild facelift of the current car in time for the current model year change in Japan.

7Tune’s Adam Zillin does claim that a turbocharged version is very much possible according to insiders – just not anytime soon. And really – considering the still-booming global demand for the car right now, one has to wonder why they would need to cannibalise their profits with a high-powered version that might put it in a more uncomfortable price/performance bracket going up against cars like the Mustang GT.

Source: STi Japan, 7Tune

 

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