Photo: Twitter user @taku_saf1
Spotted by Twitter user @taku_saf1 at the Fuji Speedway, the camouflaged prototype we’ll talk about today isn’t the BRZ STI with a turbocharged mill. As much as the rumor mill tries to make that car happen, it won't because Subaru has plenty of other priorities.
Dominick Infante, the director of communications at Subaru of America, has recently confirmed that forced induction “would have required the engineers to raise the engine height.” In turn, this change “would have raised the center of gravity significantly,” spoiling the corner-carving capability.
As for the final reason why the BRZ STI won’t ever happen, that would be sales volume. The boxer-engined model has left Europe for good, leaving the United States as the primary market even though only 2,334 units were sold last year. That’s a 39.1 percent decline over 2018, and for reference, the WRX and WRX STI sold 21,838 examples during the same timeframe.
These being said, we’ve ruled out the possibility of a BRZ STI. The thing is, what is Subaru actually hiding under the camouflage of this prototype? Historically speaking, the tS predates the STI Sport, but it’s impossible to tell which is which from these pictures. Two design elements that stand out from the regular BRZ are the more aggressive side skirts and front splitter.
Zoom in on the wheels, and you’ll further notice the standard brake calipers finished in silver instead of red-painted Brembos. Last, but certainly not in the least, Subaru appears to have upgraded the rear bumper with an enlarged aerodynamic diffuser that extends into winglets mounted on the side skirts.
In addition to the BRZ tS and BRZ STI Sport, there’s a third possibility that needs to be highlighted. Aero-enhancing body kits are pretty popular with the first generation of the boxer-engined sports car, so why wouldn’t Subaru develop one of its own as an OEM alternative to aftermarket solutions?
On that note, don’t expect any improvements at all under the hood, not even a sportier intake. From 2.4 liters of displacement and four cylinders, the BRZ offers 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet (249 Nm) of torque. And as ever, customers have a choice between a sporty stick shift and a six-speed auto.
As for the final reason why the BRZ STI won’t ever happen, that would be sales volume. The boxer-engined model has left Europe for good, leaving the United States as the primary market even though only 2,334 units were sold last year. That’s a 39.1 percent decline over 2018, and for reference, the WRX and WRX STI sold 21,838 examples during the same timeframe.
These being said, we’ve ruled out the possibility of a BRZ STI. The thing is, what is Subaru actually hiding under the camouflage of this prototype? Historically speaking, the tS predates the STI Sport, but it’s impossible to tell which is which from these pictures. Two design elements that stand out from the regular BRZ are the more aggressive side skirts and front splitter.
Zoom in on the wheels, and you’ll further notice the standard brake calipers finished in silver instead of red-painted Brembos. Last, but certainly not in the least, Subaru appears to have upgraded the rear bumper with an enlarged aerodynamic diffuser that extends into winglets mounted on the side skirts.
In addition to the BRZ tS and BRZ STI Sport, there’s a third possibility that needs to be highlighted. Aero-enhancing body kits are pretty popular with the first generation of the boxer-engined sports car, so why wouldn’t Subaru develop one of its own as an OEM alternative to aftermarket solutions?
On that note, don’t expect any improvements at all under the hood, not even a sportier intake. From 2.4 liters of displacement and four cylinders, the BRZ offers 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet (249 Nm) of torque. And as ever, customers have a choice between a sporty stick shift and a six-speed auto.
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— _OUu@AAS (@taku_saf1) December 16, 2020
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