Subaru is up to something very sneaky at this year's New York Auto Show. A bright blue BRZ model with some serious cosmetic upgrades was spied and appears to be real, even though today is April Fools.
Two different sources, exotics4life and mikes_insta_pix, have posted pictures of the same car on Instagram alongside the new Subaru rallycross car, so we know this isn't photoshop. But what is it then?
After Toyota and Subaru had launched their version of the sportscar a few years ago, no serious upgrades were ever made. Fuji's car division did, however, introduce the STI parts catalog, to which the wheels on this car belong.
Some are saying this mystery prototype is the long awaited BRZ STI, because the bulge in the hood would indicate an intercooler is under there. Obviously, Subaru already has a turbocharged version of the 2-liter boxer engine that it has pushed to 300 horsepower, which is 50% more than what's currently offered. But the fact that there isn't any scoop refutes this idea. Instead, we think this is the 2016 model year coupe, featuring the next Subaru design language that we've already seen on the Viziv II concept car. It's all about bulges and creases created by sharp lines.
The last time we saw this design language being used was on the Subaru Vision Gran Turismo, a digital racing car that was revealed in November, and had the same LED strip at the side of the front bumper.
With big STI wheels and a huge STI wing, it looks even more epic from the side. But knowing Subaru, these guys like to preview every new model they make with a concept car, so we wouldn't get too excited. But the simple fact that Subaru hasn't forgotten its one and only rear-wheel drive coupe gives us cause for celebration.
Update: It's official now, this is all you need to know about the BRZ STI concept car.
After Toyota and Subaru had launched their version of the sportscar a few years ago, no serious upgrades were ever made. Fuji's car division did, however, introduce the STI parts catalog, to which the wheels on this car belong.
Some are saying this mystery prototype is the long awaited BRZ STI, because the bulge in the hood would indicate an intercooler is under there. Obviously, Subaru already has a turbocharged version of the 2-liter boxer engine that it has pushed to 300 horsepower, which is 50% more than what's currently offered. But the fact that there isn't any scoop refutes this idea. Instead, we think this is the 2016 model year coupe, featuring the next Subaru design language that we've already seen on the Viziv II concept car. It's all about bulges and creases created by sharp lines.
The last time we saw this design language being used was on the Subaru Vision Gran Turismo, a digital racing car that was revealed in November, and had the same LED strip at the side of the front bumper.
With big STI wheels and a huge STI wing, it looks even more epic from the side. But knowing Subaru, these guys like to preview every new model they make with a concept car, so we wouldn't get too excited. But the simple fact that Subaru hasn't forgotten its one and only rear-wheel drive coupe gives us cause for celebration.
Update: It's official now, this is all you need to know about the BRZ STI concept car.