BRZ STi tS Confirmed. Teased on Official Website

[switchlanez]

UPDATED INFO (Source: http://www.7tune.com/news-the-facts-...sti-ts-version):

NEWS – THE FACTS ABOUT THE BRZ STi tS VERSION

August 5, 2013 by Adam Zillin



No sooner had Subaru updated their STi website yesterday about the imminent release of a car wearing STi badges that the internet went berserk, with several major outlets claiming that an STi BRZ was imminent. The usual turbocharged rumours followed but I’m here with some facts from the source in order to clean the mess up…



The fact is, the STi website was updated yesterday with a few vague photos and this happened to coincide with the 86 festival at Fuji Speedway where Subaru unveiled their latest BRZ package. What a lot of people don’t realize or understand is that a “tS” branded Subaru and an “STi” branded Subaru are very different creatures.



Firstly, the bad news. There is no turbo charger. The BRZ tS will sport the same 200hp flat four boxer from the standard edition. It will also carry the same exhaust system as the standard car. Don’t be entirely disappointed though…



Subaru have dubbed their new model the BRZ tS for a few reasons. There appears to be quite a bit of confusion among a great many people as to what the difference is between a “tS” and an “STi”. Well, think of a tS Subaru as the “Light Tune” version of Subaru models. The parts are still made by STi but that’s where the market placement ends. The tS moniker literally stands for “Tuned by STi” and in most instances, mods are restricted to bolt on accessories in the exterior and interior departments with a few in reserve for the chassis and drivetrain.



An STi on the other hand is more of a “works package” with a lot more engine and drivetrain modifications thrown into the mix along with the afformentioned parts for the tS.

The BRZ tS will come in two grades, the BRZ tS “GT-package” and the standard BRZ tS package. What’s the difference you might be asking? Not a great deal, if you’re looking for a power upgrade unfortunately. The tS “GT pack” will come with a number of exterior mods including a dry carbon GT wing that was pulled from the Impreza RA STi parts shelf along with black multi spoke alloy wheels, Recaro front seats, shift knob, steering wheel button, kidney grill inserts, upgraded fog lamps and surrounding garnish, front under spoiler and side steps, strengthened driveshaft, Bilstein suspension upgrade and almost pointlessly, 6 pot Brembo brakes. 200hp will not take a lot of stopping.



The Standard BRZ tS makes do with a wingless arrangement, silver alloys and less trim additions, including the Recaro seats. Other than that, both have similar specs and both will come in 6 speed manual and automatic configurations. Subaru have announced that they will create 500 tS BRZ’s with the GT spec getting an allotment of 250 units.



Both cars are available for pre-order from Subaru from the 18th of this month with production to start in October and delivery shortly afterwards.

Prices for the GT package in Manual will start at around ¥4,090,000 ( USD $41,500 / AUD $46,600 ) with the slushbox tacking on another ¥100,000 ( USD $1000 / AUD $1150 ). As with so many special models from Subaru, neither of these cars is designated for international release.

This is sure to come as ( perhaps only slightly ) disappointing news for a lot of people, as many had anticipated a turbo release from Subaru but despite the erroneous claims on the internet by other outlets, along with claiming that there is no room in the engine bay for such a modification, Subaru is keeping very quiet about rumoured plans to include a full blown, official STi version to the lineup; something that anyone with enough forward thinking would realise is almost certain to happen in the future.

When that does happen is up for argument and debate but in the meantime, the aftermarket manufacturers have tuning enthusiasts covered for power upgrades.

One last point to consider is the timing for this release. Subaru plans to unveil a face-lifted model for the BRZ in October – at the same time these will officially go into production so what you are looking at is essentially a face-lift version of the 2014 release.

Words – Adam Zillin
Source – Subaru Japan


--
My original post:

Subaru BRZ tS (tS = tuned by STI) is coming soon as confirmed by the current splash screen on the STI homepage: http://www.sti.jp/

Leaked from the Clubrz Facebook page (original link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...16614845135311):

Translated caption:
[From ‪ # clubrz ‬] "SUBARU / STI comes up that car. Rumor exhibited at FUJI 86 style with BRZ 2013!?"

Will be held at Fuji Speedway on Sunday, August 04, "FUJI 86 Style with BRZ". CLUBRZ events already been set, countdown held has been started. SUBARU / STI booth will also be installed at the venue, will participate vehicle exhibition, demonstration run, and also stage events.

From SUBARU / STI, is done SUBARU BRZ you dress up attached demonstration run of SUBARU BRZ GT300, SUBARU BRZ RA Racing One Make Race specification car, the STI parts, the exhibition of SUBARU BRZ tS concept for the first time and additionally published. In addition, we plan and talk show Tatsumi Eiji STI team general director, stage appearance of BREEZ (SUPER GT girls), and STI product sales booth.

Do not miss this opportunity to everyone of BRZ fan!

SUBARU / STI exhibitors to "FUJI 86 style with BRZ 2013": http://www.sti.jp/news/2013/13017.html


Notes:

• This will be offered in Japan as a "complete car" in a similar fashion to STI versions of other models such as Forester, Legacy, and [one Americans are familiar with] WRX: http://www.sti.jp/product/previousmodel/index.html

• Unlike the current STI parts available for the BRZ, this package seems to add a front STI badge, STI chrome fender trim, GT wing, BBK, and journalist/photo leaks have shown prototype STI dampers by Bilstein.

• Spy shots when this was under development at the Nurburgring: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21113

• "STI is working on finalizing creation of the special version of BRZ, which would be unveiled in "some time" (secret). Turbocharger is NOT in the concept of this greatly balanced FR sports car, so we would concentrate our developments on suspension, handling, performance improvements and sports styling. The turbocharged version of BRZ will remain only in GT300 Championship."
-Hiroyuki Karamatsu, President of Subaru Tecnica International Inc. (STI)

• Toyota will not turbo the FR-S: http://jalopnik.com/scion-will-not-b...fr-s-975053693

[infinite012]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

Turbocharger is NOT in the concept of this greatly balanced FR sports car, so we would concentrate our developments on suspension, handling, performance improvements and sports styling. The turbocharged version of BRZ will remain only in GT300 Championship."

[Jawnathin]

So basically this is the Type S thing they're selling in Australia?

Wonder if they will bring it here.

[Khazzy]

Originally Posted by Jawnathin

So basically this is the Type S thing they're selling in Australia?

Wonder if they will bring it here.

probably not.

[Captain Insano]

Not much to it really. Little bit of aero, improved suspension bits you can get in the aftermarket pretty easy (coil overs). Not much to write home about.

[brz_star21]

Based on that small teaser pic, I don't see a hint of the STI brakes used on the prototype, so it's basically all the STI parts catalogue added with some small extra touches and a GT wing. I love that fender garnish but not in chrome.

I'm sure they'll have a better release model/parts in the late future.

[L4NDO]

I want that fender garnish.

[airmanmurphy02]

Originally Posted by L4NDO

I want that fender garnish.

I 2nd that

[Brzetto]

Hey you guys wanted an STI version, now you have one. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

[Rampage]

They have been saying officially all along that there would be no factory FI. Yet every time it is confirmed again a bunch of people are disappointed all over again. It is probably smart for Toyota and Subaru to stay away from it. There are options available in the aftermarket for anyone that wants FI but Toyota/Scion and Subaru will not be responsible for warranty work on blown FA-20s. They are still selling all the cars they can make without the headaches.

[cslntuee]

"journalist/photo leaks have shown prototype STI dampers by Bilstein."

Where I can find those photo?

Thanks.

[DeepHunta]

"STI" huh....I guess STI is subjective. Looks like I'm going supercharger on mine. Our cars really are going to be the modern Miata. No upgrades. Leave that to the aftermarket industry.

I'm not so shaken up. The better to hone my skills and driving line on the track once track upgrades are complete.

[Captain Insano]

Originally Posted by Rampage

They have been saying officially all along that there would be no factory FI. Yet every time it is confirmed again a bunch of people are disappointed all over again. It is probably smart for Toyota and Subaru to stay away from it. There are options available in the aftermarket for anyone that wants FI but Toyota/Scion and Subaru will not be responsible for warranty work on blown FA-20s. They are still selling all the cars they can make without the headaches.

I'm not really bent out of shape. Just don't think they have added much performance. It will look good. Just won't perform much more than a regular BRZ.


I could care less about FI. I do care about performance though. Please let me see on the STI BRZ at some point:

• Better brakes
• Better suspension (they are doing some of that on this one)
• Better weight (100-200 lbs lighter would be cool)
• Power (no FI needed, pump up the NA power 25-40 HP and higher rev limit!)

Doesn't need a lot more. But they aren't doing much so like I said, not much to write home about.

[DuMa]

FI isnt needed but yes they should bump up some power from exhaust, header, intake, tune and maybe different pistons.