The car that defies the tradition of Subaru, the BRZ, is back as the latest tS, which is basically a BRZ souped up by STI but yet not a full-fledge STI. Get it? Which also loosely translates to a BRZ that slots between a STI and a standard BRZ. The announcement came today which also happens to be the sale date across Japan’s Subaru dealerships. This also means that this lesser BRZ STI may not be heading anywhere else other than the Land of the Rising Sun.
Subaru described the new BRZ tS as “an STI complete car which achieves both ‘agile handling performance evoking a racing car’ and ‘a high-quality ride’ at a high level,” which essentially means there is no output change (still at 200 horses and 151 lb-ft or 205 Nm of torque, if you don’t already know), but as before, buyers can expect a slew of non-engine related STI performance parts to boost its drivability and handling including Brembo brakes with STI logo, STI-designed 18-inch aluminum wheels in black wrapped in 225/40ZR R18 Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubbers, STI-tuned suspension (front, plus rear damper and springs), exclusively-tuned VDC and filter for Sound Creator, and a bunch of others handling enhancements pulled together to achieve the promised “agile handling performance evoking a racing car.”
Obligatory go-fast bits include STI front under spoiler, exclusive front and rear bumpers et cetera and on the inside, you will be greeted with, not surprisingly, a series of STI-branded stuff like speedometer, leather wrapped gear knob, push button ignition, and Recaro-designed front bucket seats – just to name a few. The 2015 Subaru BRZ tS Coupe goes on sale in Japan today and is available in 6-speed manual transmission as well as 6-speed automatic (E-6AT), priced at 3,990,000 Yen and up (around US$33,000). Apparently, there is a new color addition, Sunrise Yellow (pictured in this post), available for an additional 32,400 Yen (about US$265).
