► 300 tS coupes to be sold in Japan
► BRZ chassis revamped
► No changes to power output
Subaru’s performance arm STI has released a new version of the BRZ coupe, the all-new Subaru BRZ tS.
The tS will only be available in Japan and features a completely revamped chassis, interior and exterior, and STI branding littered everywhere. This sounds exciting…
Finally, an STI Subaru BRZ!
Well, not exactly… Although STI has gotten its hands dirty working on the new BRZ tS model, it’s merely a halfway house. The desire on the lips of every GT86/BRZ fan hasn’t been answered – power remains the same. Instead, STI has chosen to focus on a completely revamped chassis, and, for some reason, bigger Brembo brakes.
The mechanical changes are limited to the chassis: suspension, coil springs, strut bar, rear dampers, driveshaft and Vehicle Dynamic Control are all tweaked.
The exterior, available in only four colours, features a new front diffuser, front fender STI logo, new 18in aluminium STI alloys and beefed-up front and rear Brembo brakes.
The interior gets the full STI branding treatment too, along with Recaro-styled bucket seats, limited edition 300 decals on the centre console, STI start button and gearknob.
Is this an STI teaser?
Sort of. Essentially, what STI has built here is a car which is ready to adopt a turbo/supercharger, but hasn’t been given one.
The chassis, brakes and seating position are all on the cusp of making this a Porsche Cayman rival, but the engine hasn’t been given the tools to fight.