Subaru BRZ STI tS gets big brakes and no added performance | GRR
The Subaru BRZ STI tS has been revealed sporting visual enhancements, big brakes, new dampers and precisely zero extra performance. The worst news? It’s not coming to the UK.
But that makes us want one even more because, as the standard BRZ is already excellent, we can only imagine how good this STI-fettled version is.
According to the press release, it gets Hitachi dampers that enhance the BRZ’s precision handling for better control and stability.
Bigger brakes are also on the spec list. They take the form of four-pot front, two-pot rear Brembos with gold-painted callipers that (hopefully) stop as good as they look, although the STI’s 18-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber is shared with the standard model.
Subaru has also touched up the STI’s looks, adding tS badging, a roof antenna and wing mirrors finished in Crystal Black Silica. Inside, you get contrasting blue stitching on the seats, steering wheel, gear shifter and handbrake.
Based on Limited trim, the tS also gets kit such as heated door mirrors, an upgraded stereo with a two-channel amplifier, blind-spot detection, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert and active headlights, which follow the direction of the steering wheel.
The powertrain hasn’t changed, meaning you still get a 2.4-litre flat-four sending 231PS (170kW) to the rear wheels via a standard limited-slip differential.
The tS was revealed at the 2023 Subiefest California, which in 2020 broke the Guinness World Record for the largest parade of Subarus in one place, with 1751 cars in attendance.
With the BRZ no longer sold in the UK, our only hope is that Toyota will release a successor to the GT86 Club Series Blue Edition, which featured a near-identical list of extras to the tS.