THERE'S A NEW SUBARU BRZ TS - BUT THERE'S NO BOOST.
Subaru has just revealed an updated BRZ at Subiefest California, and before anyone asks, no, there still isn’t any boost. It’s weird because the platform is shared with Toyota, and Toyota like to give fans what they want like the Corolla GR that was begged for after the Yaris GR was released, and the latest Supra in manual configuration. When it comes to the 86 that shares, well, everything besides a badge, it's more of a case of you get what we give you. The normally-aspirated flat-four is ok, but with both Toyota and Subaru’s expertise, you’d think after 11 years of begging for a turbocharged version, we would see one already. It’s not like there aren’t already turbocharged flat-fours available from Subaru. They could even sell a retrofit turbo kit using WRX bits with mods. Could, but likely won’t. This leads us to believe that Subaru has more of a say in the development of the shared platform than Toyota does. So when a new BRZ gets shown, we always get excited and head straight to the engine specs to see if prayers were answered, and when we find they’re not we check out what changes have actually been made. In the case of this new version sees a few minor performance-related tweaks and changes, but it’s a proper update because this was a global release, which means everywhere the BRZ is sold now, the new one will be available. There has been some STI tuning carried out, but sadly it was contained to the suspension only. This is the performance-focused 2024 Subaru BRZ tS.
The changes to the BRZ tS seem to be centered around handling, and so there are STI-tuned front and rear Hitachi dampers, a high-performance Brembo braking system, with gold-painted 4-pot front calipers up front and 2-pots at the rear calipers all with bigger discs. The dark grey wheels can be had in 18-inches and unlike the first version of these cars they have premium rubber attached in the form of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres. Remember the first one had those skinny eco tyres on, shame. The BRZ tS features EyeSight Driver Assist Technology that includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking System, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, and Lead Vehicle Start Alert - a first for a manual option. Styling sees a wide frontal area with large functional air intakes, a low grille, wider fender arches front and rear, dual exhausts and an upturned ducktail rear spoiler. There’s tS badging in the front grille and on the rear bootlid. The exterior mirrors and roof-mounted shark fin antenna come in a contrasting Crystal Black Silica finish. Inside there’s black upholstery contrasting blue stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear gaiter and hand brake boot, sports seats, and BRIN NAUB which is a nubuck-like material and here it enhances the instrument panel visor and door trim. The STI logo is found on the red starter button and customizable 7-inch digital instrument cluster, also updated with tS-exclusive red accents. The usual normally-aspirated 2.4-litre boxer lump is in play with a monstrous 170 kW of power on tap. The on-road performance will likely be the same as the previous version, although it may have a bit more agility on track. Pricing will be announced in the coming month or so. We’re keen to see the price difference between this and a Yaris GR or Supra, it’s going to have to be quite a bargain to keep people from chucking in a few bucks more for some proper fast turbocharged fun.
Take a look at the YouTube video taken at the recent reveal of the latest incarnation of the popular Subaru BRZ tS. It does indeed come in manual, and the suspension has been STI-tuned, but it remains normally-aspirated which is code for it still needs more power. We guess it's still going to be marketed as 'driver's car' then, which it will be, just not a fast one: 2024 Subaru BRZ reveal at Subiefest California 2023 with Scott Speed | RevCircle
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