Truth of the matter is this:
If they wanted to make a turbocharged FR-S/BRZ/86, they have all the parts they need aside from a few components to stuff it in the FR-S/86/BRZ... Subaru already uses a FA20 in turbocharged configuration in the Japanese market Legacy and other cars.
Why they don't produce it has many reasons, some I can't mention,
but other reason that is the MAJOR concern for any large automaker like Subaru is certification costs of a new engine in the USA, when accounted for by the potential sales volume of what will become roughly a $33,000 car. While this is arguable here among us enthusiasts who can speak only based on speculations and assumptions, but folks who actually have the numbers inside the think-tanks of both firms are less confident in assuring the analysts and bankers who keep the company going...
In fact, the BEST way to convince them, is all of us, going out of our way to convince MORE people to adopt an FRS/BRZ/86 and drive the sales of the current car upwards by a ton. Whether the car sells to stance guys, old ladies, hydro-lowrider Mexican, or Initial D Fever Anime geek... it doesn't matter. Many more of these cars need to sell, and sell, and sell more... So that the accountants and investors can be assured and some of the less bold executives to grab some balls to give it a GO sign.
On the topic of hybrid, and partial electric assist... It is something that have come a long way, and it need not be a Prius type thing, as there are other ways such systems can be implemented to not add much weight at all, and work off a capacitive discharge system that's more like the TS030 and F1 cars than a long-range battery load system.
And it is a very SEXY sounding car when applied correctly, taking almost nothing away from a naturally aspirated note, and power delivery that's a ton more natural than a boosted engine. And that's something Toyota has in the bag of tricks already too, almost ready to go... But the same problem mentioned above is the biggest obstacle. Internet voice may be strong, but it sometimes does not get followed by actual buying power of the public... And the latter is where things can be very delicate.
If you had $500 in your pocket. And internet hype told you to spend it 5 days before your rent was due... And forums people told you $200 of it put into a risky product investment will net you $50 or cost you $300 at the end if things didn't go well... Would you spend it if it was your last $500?
That's basically what making any sports car means in today's market, only we add about 6 more zeros behind that figure, and have it be responsible for about 9,000 employee's jobs and lives.
And they were brave enough to make the FRS we have in the first place.
We just need to keep making others buy it as well, and enjoy what we have, so that makers can also be much more comforted in our numbers.
