The Subaru BRZ — and its twin, the Toyota 86 (née Scion FR-S) — zoomed onto the scene in 2013, giving budget-minded fans a easy, rear-wheel-drive sport coupe. With glorious dealing with and aggressive beauty, the BRZ is a daily at weekend autocross occasions and monitor days throughout America. It is considered one of our favourite little sports activities vehicles.
Along with its mainstream Premium and Restricted trims, the BRZ has seen numerous particular version fashions over its lifespan, the latest of which is the uber-limited-production BRZ tS. It is not fairly the full-on STI model some fans have been asking for, but it surely’s undoubtedly essentially the most hardcore BRZ but.
‘Tuned by STI’
This is not only a trim-and-tape job. The chassis is stiffer, due to using high-tensile metal, and two versatile V-braces are added to the engine bay, ostensibly to mitigate general ranges of powertrain vibration and harshness. Sachs dampers are fitted in any respect 4 corners, which lessens general ranges of pitch and physique roll. The automotive’s springs are 15 % stiffer on the entrance and three % stiffer out again, and stopping responsibility is dealt with by a set of Brembo brakes, with rotors measuring 12.eight inches up entrance and 12.Four inches out again. Sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Four tires wrap every 18-inch wheel, and aerodynamics are improved. owing to aero spoilers up entrance and that massive, two-stage, adjustable carbon-fiber wing out again.
Does all of it work? You’d higher imagine it.
Along with all its aero goodies, the BRZ tS will get purple accents all through. As a result of, purple = sporty.
Emme Corridor/Roadshow
On a day drive by means of the again hills of Northern California, the BRZ tS proves its mettle by by no means, ever getting out of types. Even with the traction and stability management programs turned to Observe mode, I am solely in a position to get the rear finish to step out ever so barely, and solely as soon as. The BRZ tS is planted, and the tires supply a ton of grip with none chirps.
With no monitor at my disposal, I can not let you know how this automotive drives at its absolute restrict. Fortunately, fellow editor Jon Wong was in a position to full just a few sizzling laps of The Thermal Membership’s monitor earlier this year.
However here is the factor: the BRZ has all the time been a great-handling automotive, even in base type. With all this added poise, it solely jogs my memory that this automotive might actually profit from some further energy.
The BRZ tS makes 205 horsepower from its 2.Zero-liter flat-Four engine, in addition to 156 pound-feet of torque. And although it is all the time extra enjoyable to drive a gradual automotive quick than a quick automotive gradual, a bit extra torque would actually be good. Accelerating as much as about Four,000 rpm, I can really feel the BRZ wanting to offer me… one thing. However as a result of the torque does not absolutely come on till 6,400 rpm, there is a slim band wherein to make use of it earlier than you need to upshift.
On spirited runs by means of the canyons, this implies you are downshifting into second gear and listening to the engine howl, or simply leaving it in third and never having numerous energy upon exit. Not less than the six-speed handbook transmission is a pleasure to make use of, with tight gearbox motion and pedals completely positioned for heel-and-toe shifting, even with my dainty girl ft. The BRZ tS is barely accessible with a handbook transmission, accurately.
Not one of the chassis upgrades show so harsh that you just could not reside with a BRZ tS day by day. It is stiff, positive, however not jarring over damaged pavement; it is just like the street really feel of a MX-5 Miata Membership, not almost as tough because the Mini JCW Cooper I just lately examined.
The EPA says the BRZ tS can obtain 20 miles per gallon within the metropolis, 27 mpg freeway and 23 mpg mixed. That is rather less than different BRZ trims, although even with all my again street driving, I am nonetheless in a position to obtain 24.7 mpg throughout every week of testing.
Spartan cabin, helpful tech
The BRZ’s inside is about as snug as you’d anticipate for a 2+2 sport coupe. The seats are agency and properly bolstered, however the shoulder space is pretty extensive, making it semi-difficult to twist round to achieve the cup holders. Happily, there is a bottle holder within the door that is good for a 20-ounce soda. There’s technically a again seat, however let’s be trustworthy — it might be tough to get a 10-year-old again there, not to mention a full-size grownup. The trunk gives 6.9 cubic ft of area, and the rear seats fold down must you want a bit extra room.
Subaru’s easy and efficient Starlink infotainment system is housed on a 7-inch touchscreen. It consists of navigation with pinch-to-zoom performance, in addition to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The very Subaru-appropriate eBird recognizing app, nevertheless, is nowhere to be discovered. Save that for the Outback crowd.
The cabin is small with closely bolstered seats, but it surely’s nonetheless snug sufficient for each day driving.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
As a substitute, BRZ tS homeowners have entry to extra performance-based info, housed on a Four.2-inch LCD display screen subsequent to the tachometer. Right here, completely different screens show cornering G-forces, oil and water temperatures, battery voltage and real-time horsepower and torque output ranges. There’s even a stopwatch to file your lap instances.
Given the spartan nature of the hardcore BRZ tS, do not look forward to finding any superior driver’s aids. Adaptive cruise management, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping help aren’t accessible.
How I would spec it
Given its super-limited standing, you’ll be able to think about there aren’t too some ways to spec a BRZ tS. Solely 500 examples will probably be offered within the US, with pricing set at $34,355, together with $800 for vacation spot.
If the wing and aero package aren’t your factor, you’ll be able to all the time spring for a BRZ Restricted when the $1,195 Efficiency Package deal, which provides the Brembo brakes and Sachs dampers. That brings the overall to a extra affordable $30,500 — think about it an possibility for when the US allocation of tS fashions runs out.
Subaru put the tachometer entrance and heart. Why? With a momentum automotive just like the BRZ tS, velocity is not almost as essential as revs.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
Poise over energy
The BRZ competes in a reasonably small phase. Along with its brother from one other mom, the Toyota 86, you have just about solely obtained the Mazda MX-5 Miata (and its Fiat 124 Spider twin) for small, rear-wheel-drive enjoyable. You might think about a Ford Mustang EcoBoost or the brand new Chevy Camaro Turbo 1LE, too, if you’d like extra energy.
The tS stands out with its improved dealing with — it is one of the crucial fun-to-drive vehicles you should buy for beneath $35,000. And with solely 500 coming to our market, I am positive loads of Subie followers will scoop them up very quickly. Should you worth dealing with over energy, the tS is an attractive possibility.