Subaru may be bringing an STI version of the BRZ to the US, says new reports about the expansion of the STI brand.
A new report by Automotive News quotes Subaru spokesman Michael McHale as saying that “the US will get an STI version of the BRZ in ‘a couple years.’” While the specifics have yet to be determined, Subaru remains adamant that a turbocharged version is not forthcoming.
However, McHale did leave room for the possibility of a “tuned by STI” version, which would probably feature suspension and body modifications without adding power to the engine, similar to the M Sport packages on some BMW models. In Japan, Subaru has released a BRZ tS, as well as a Forester tS, both of which are boast sportier wheels and suspensions than their non-tS counterparts, but neither of which see any powertrain modifications.
At the New York Auto Show last month, Subaru unveiled the BRZ STI Concept, a sports coupe with a wider body, redesigned grille and rear fascia and, most importantly to many fans of the sports coupe, a 300hp turbocharged boxer motor straight out of a GT300 race car. It was said to demonstrate the capabilities of the STI brand, which the company hopes will become a key part of its branding by 2020 and will replace the Subaru Performance Tuning sub-brand in the US.
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