As its name implies, the concept was designed to showcase what Subaru Tecnica International (STI) is capable of in terms of building rally-inspired performance cars. Starting with a stock BRZ, STI has fitted a new front bumper with large air dams and a carbon fiber splitter, side skirts, a huge carbon fiber wing out back and a sizable air diffuser. The concept rides on 19-inch alloy wheels.
The interior has been upgraded with sport seats, a STI-specific steering wheel with an integrated tachometer, a short-throw shifter as well as carbon fiber inserts on the dashboard and on the center console. The concept’s infotainment system gains a race mode that can be configured to provide the temperature of each tire, a G-force meter, a throttle monitor and a stopwatch.
Technical details have not been published yet but Subaru promises the concept is powered by the same engine that is found under the hood of the BRZs that compete in Japan’s Super GT race series. Tuned-specifically for intensive track use, the flat-four uses a large turbocharger to generate 300 horsepower and 330 lb-ft. of torque, a generous increase of 100 horsepower and 179 lb-ft. over the standard BRZ. The GT cars are equipped with a six-speed sequential gearbox, but the concept appears to be fitted with a manual transmission.
The Subaru STI Performance will likely not make the jump from concept to production as-is. However, Subaru has announced plans to expand the presence of its STI division in the United States, meaning we can expect a wider range of aftermarket parts and more STI-tuned models to arrive in the near future.
Live images by Brian Williams.
Leave a Reply