For 2024, Subaru will bring out a performance-focused edition of its little BRZ sports car, the 2024 Subaru BRZ tS. It doesn’t get an STI badge. But Subaru says it rides on an “STI-tuned suspension,” and it wears badges in the classic red-almost-pink shade that signal an STI product.
Subaru’s STI (Subaru Tecnica International) tuning badge is legendary. But Subie engineers haven’t had much call to max out their art recently. There are no STI models in the brand’s current lineup.
So they must have been happy when they got the call to do this.
Subaru hasn’t revealed pricing for the sharper edition. It’s based on the BRZ Limited trim, which carries an MSRP of $31,095. The added performance parts likely add a few thousand dollars to that sticker, but we’d be surprised to see it north of $40,000.
About the BRZ
The BRZ is the adopted child of the Subaru lineup. Built in partnership with Toyota, it’s almost a twin to the Toyota GR86, making it the only current rear-wheel drive (RWD) Subaru. The classic “2+2” layout technically seats four, but if the two in the back are out of Kindergarten, they won’t like it back there.
The standard BRZ uses a 2.4-liter flat 4-cylinder engine making 228 horsepower. Subaru hasn’t done anything to make it track-day-ready in the tS. It also gets the same close-ratio 6-speed transmission available in the basic model.
But that’s where the similarities end.
Enhanced Suspension, Brakes
The suspension is remade with “STI-tuned front and rear Hitachi dampers to maximize its lightweight, ultra-low center of gravity and precision handling, resulting in greater flexibility and better control and stability.” Brembo brakes – 4-pistons up front and two in the rear – come painted gold. That allows you to spec the classic Subaru blue-and-gold rally paint scheme in a car no one with sense will ever rally.
It rides on 18-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4s “for superior grip and quicker turn-in.”
It’s not all about track-day poise. The BRZ tS is the first manual-transmission-equipped Subaru to carry the brand’s full EyeSight suite of driver assistance technologies. That includes adaptive cruise control. Subaru hasn’t explained how it works with a stick. Some brands’ manual-equipped adaptive cruise controls will prompt drivers for needed shifts.
Gold Brake Calipers, Blue Stitches
You’ll be able to spot a tS from a distance. It gets large functional front air intakes and larger fender arches to accommodate the modified suspension. tS badging in that classic color appears on the decklid. A BRZ logo at the corners of the headlights wears it, too. Subaru will sell it in any color you can order on the BRZ, but they’ll probably grimace if you don’t do the classic blue.
Inside, blue stitching stands out against black upholstery. It looks like leather and suede, but Subaru hasn’t specified what it is, so we’ll assume it’s the brand’s StarTex leather substitute – an easy-clinic, long-wearing alternative. The steering wheel is wrapped in the real stuff, though.
Based on the BRZ Limited trim, the tS model gets creature comforts like dual-zone automatic climate control, an upgraded audio system with a 2-channel amplifier, and steering-responsive headlights.
Subaru doesn’t mention building a limited number of tS models.
