Subaru’s two upgraded offerings
Performance-tuned STI family is growing with WRX STI Type RA, BRZ tS
Subaru is bolstering its STI offerings in North America with two new models.
Limited to 500 examples, the WRX STI Type RA is essentially a hardcore variant of the standard WRX STI, replete with a laundry list of engine and chassis upgrades.
The turbocharged 2.5-litre flat-four under the hood is familiar, but it’s fitted with a new cold-air intake, stronger pistons, a reprogrammed ECU and a high-flow exhaust system.
It also receives a six-speed manual transmission with a short-throw shifter and a revised third gear, along with Bilstein suspension bits and inverted struts, a double-wishbone suspension setup out back, 19-inch BBS wheels wrapped in sticky Yokohama Advan Sport tires, a carbon-fibre roof and wing and Recaro racing seats inside.
On the other hand, the BRZ tS — tS stands for “Tuned by STI” — is a bit more divisive.
Like the WRX STI Type RA, it receives extensive chassis upgrades, including Sachs dampers and springs all around, plus beefier engine bracing, Brembo brakes, 18-inch BBS wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires and an aero kit with a manually adjustable carbon-fibre wing all around.
Unfortunately for many enthusiasts, the BRZ tS sees no additional power upgrades. Yes, that means the 2.0-L boxer four-cylinder engine under the hood still pumps out 205 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque.
Contrary to what fans and critics have been pining for, the BRZ still isn’t turbocharged. Or supercharged.
Subaru hasn’t dished any data for either model, but those numbers will likely surface later this year.