Subaru launches BRZ tS for Japanese market, only 300 units made



Subaru’s motorsport division known to many as STI or Subaru Tecnica International has just recently released the BRZ tS (stands for “tuned by STI”) model that will go on sale in Japan. This naturally aspirated pocket rocket is on a limited production run of only 300 units exclusive to the Japanese market.

The exterior doesn’t differ far from the original, with a redesigned front bumper adorned with a new grille and gets a new colour from a shade called Cherry Red. Not forgetting also the STI badge that sits pretty on the front nose. The headlights receive the signature Subaru DRL, one that’s rather reminiscent of the WRX STI.

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The interior, just like the outside, hasn’t gone through much of a change for this limited run unit. The gauge cluster gets a reworked speedometer with a complimentary STI logo housed in an Alcantara upholstered visor contrasted with red stitching, exuding this BRZ tS’ go-faster attitude.

The use of Alcantara doesn’t just end there, for most of the interior such as the seats and trim pieces are adorned in a suede-like material. The steering wheel and gear knob is wrapped in hide with – yes you guessed it, STI ornaments and red stitching as contrast. Did we mention also that there was an STI logo on the Push/Start button?

Subaru-BRZ-tS (10)

This BRZ tS doesn’t get a power boost if that’s what you’re pondering. The FA20 boxer, 2.0 litre four banger DOHC mill still makes 197 hp at 7,000 rpm. Torque figures are cemented at 205 Nm, as before. It comes with a bucket load of stuff that are tuned to the STI’s state of mind, such as the suspension setup on both ends, flexi V-bar, front strut, rear dampers and coils and a larger diameter drive shaft.

The BRZ tS sits on 225/40 ZR18 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres all around to be precise. Stopping power is manufactured by Brembo with a four pot setup at the front and two potters at the back end. It comes with a newly tuned VDC or Vehicle Dynamics Control and in the acoustic department, it also receives an exclusively tuned filter for the Sound Creator system which synthesizes the sounds you hear while driving.

There are four colours to choose from – WR Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Sunrise Yellow and Crystal White Pearl, with the latter two colours costing an additional RM986. The six-speeder stick shifter variant is priced at ¥3,990,000 (RM123,462) while the six-speed automatic variety with paddle shifters stand at ¥4,071,000 (RM125,968).


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