It appears that Subaru is testing a BRZ STI that could be sold in the U.S.
Spy photographers have caught this Subaru BRZ STI prototype testing in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it appears ready for U.S. roads. Subaru has promised that a tuned version of the BRZ would be coming to the US and this prototype certainly appears to fit that bill.
Subaru certainly hasn’t installed much camouflage to conceal the changes, many of which are aerodynamic. The front air intakes are covered up, suggesting a slightly different design, along with the fender vents, but what’s most telling is in the rear. Subaru has placed black camouflage over what is clearly an STI emblem, trying to hide the identity of this car. Large Brembo brakes are also clearly visible.
SEE ALSO: Subaru BRZ STI Sport Concept Plays Games With Our Hearts
If you want a real good idea on what the completed product will look like, look no further than the Subaru BRZ STI Sport Concept that debuted earlier this year at the 2017 Tokyo Auto Salon. If the production car follows in the concept’s footsteps, expect to see changes to the suspension, brakes, wheels and tires, but sadly, no updates to the powertrain. That massive spoiler will also be part of the package, though it was not seen on the concept.
There is also a chance that Subaru will call this car the BRZ tS, the same badge the performance-focused sports coupe wears in other markets. When it comes to the tS sold in Japan, Subaru uses a number of STI parts, including the entire suspension system, along with the addition of 17-inch Brembo disks up front with four piston calipers, while the rear receives 17-inch rotors with two-piston calipers.
Even with the BRZ tS model, there is no performance added under the hood, so no matter what the hot BRZ in the U.S. ends up being, it’s not likely that it will have more than the 205 horsepower it does now.
