Subaru Launches the Japan-Exclusive BRZ tS

Subaru BRZ tS (Credit: © Subaru)

Well, we are one step closer to an STI version of the Subaru BRZ, as the Japanese automaker has released the STI-touched BRZ tS in Japan. This model may not pack the horsepower punch that I expect from a true BRZ STI, but it has most of the other bits that would make up a true STI.

I’ll get the pink elephant out of the way first. No, there are no engine upgrades, so the BRZ tS has the same 2.0-liter boxer-four engine with 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque as all other BRZs. What it does have are a bunch of STI bits that make it look and handle better.

STI started with the chassis by installing a sport-tuned front suspension and coil springs, revised rear dampers and coil springs, and a flexible draw stiffener and a flexible V-shaped bar up front. Bringing everything to a stop are Brembo brakes on the front and rear. The front brakes use a 17-inch rotor squeezed by four-piston calipers, while the rear’s 17-inch rotor has a two-pot pot caliper gripping it.

Subaru BRZ tS (Credit: © Subaru)

Hanging off the corners are new 18-inch black-painted rollers wrapped up in 225/40ZR18 Y-rated rolling stock in place of the stock 17-inch wheels with 215/45R17 W-rated rubber.

Despite the lack of upgrades to the engine, BRZ did spend a little time on the drivetrain. It installed a larger-diameter driveshaft and it retuned the Vehicle Dynamics Control system.

On the outside, STI gave the BRZ tS a generous helping of style updates. These include an STI-designed front lip spoiler, special “STI” and “tS” badges, exclusive front and rear bumpers with cherry red highlights, an STI-designed front-fender garnish with a black “STI” logo, black-painted mirror caps, and a black shark-fin-style roof-mounted antenna.

Subaru BRZ tS (Credit: © Subaru)

STI also treated the interior to an array of look-good and feel-good items. These include an exclusive STI-badged speedometer with an Alcantara hood, a carbon-tone instrument panel with a “tS Limited Edition 300” badge, a special leather-wrapped steering wheel, and STI-designed gearshift knob and red ignition button with “STI” logos. The driver and front-seat passenger enjoy Recaro-designed bucket seats wrapped in leather and Alcantara.

The rest of the interior modifications include red contrast stitching, doorsill plates with the “STI” logo, and special-made insulators for the instrument panel, trunk trim and the doors.

As identified by the interior plaque, Subaru will limit this model to 300 units, plus it will be available in only four colors: Sunrise Yellow, WR Blue Pearl, Crystal White Pearl and Crystal Black Silica.

With the six-speed manual transmission, the Subaru BRZ tS starts out at ¥3,990,000 ($32,454), while the automatic-transmission-equipped model starts at ¥4,071,000 ($33,113). Both of those prices include Japan’s consumption tax. For those who desire the Sunrise Yellow color, keep in mind that Subaru will limit it to just 100 units, and it will run an extra ¥32,400 ($264).