Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

Subaru’s BRZ Series.Blue has the looks of an STI without the go-fast bits

By

Earlier this month, Toyota announced that turbocharged, all-wheel-drive, sedan, and hybrid models were coming to its FR-S lineup in 2016. Given that the FR-S is nearly identical to Subaru’s BRZ, Subie fans have been holding their breath for a souped-up version of their beloved drift machine for some time.

Yes, there is a new, special edition BRZ coming this year, but it looks like turbo addicts are going to be holding their breath for a while longer.  

The 2015 BRZ Series.Blue, a limited, spacebar-hating variant of Subaru’s lauded sports car is coming to dealerships this July. The Series.Blue will feature a myriad of cosmetic, ergonomic, and aerodynamic enhancements, but unfortunately the powertrain will remain untouched.

Related

The Blue series will wear STI-branded spoilers all around, which Subaru says provide additional front downforce, as well as black alloy STI wheels, red-finished brake calipers, and stainless steel exhaust tips.

The BRZ’s cabin will be revamped as well, with faux carbon fiber dash panels, a frameless day/night rear-view mirror, blue stitching accents, and a fancy illuminated start/stop button.

Subaru plans to produce 1,000 of the special edition BRZs in two colors: 500 in WR Blue Pearl, and 500 in Crystal White Pearl, both colors made famous by the WRX STI. In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a three-lettered theme emerging here.

Yes, the BRZ Series.Blue looks fantastic, but why tease us with a bunch of STI accents when you have no plans to build an actual STI version? That’s just mean, Subaru. 

And for $4,000 over the base BRZ, I’m not sure the Series.Blue is worth the money. If we’re comparing it to the 2015 Scion FR-S, which will have some tweaks of its own, I think the FR-S wins. At only $400 dollars more than the base model, the FR-S’ performance enhancements overshadow the skin-deep tweaks to the BRZ.

I think I’ll take my $4,000 and make my own STI, thank you very much. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Andrew Hard
Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Fake engine noises in electric cars need to die
Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally driving on a dirt road.

You finally get that notification that the electric car you ordered months ago is ready for pickup. You get to the location, sit in the car and turn it on. Pulling out into the road, you hear something -- a strange noise you didn't quite expect. You expected the sweet quietness of a full electric vehicle. But is that ... engine noise?

It is and it isn't. As humans, we've been so used to the sound of an engine for so long that carmakers think we've associated that low-frequency rumble with performance and quality. So, what are they doing? That's right -- they're pumping fake engine noises through the speakers in your electric car.

Read more
Watch this famous musician fly in a car with wings
watch this famous musician fly in a car with wings aircar

Jean-Michel Jarre is world’s first passenger to take off in KleinVision’s flying AirCar

The legendary French synth musician Jean-Michel Jarre has become the first passenger to take to the skies in Klein Vision’s incredible flying car.

Read more
The Tesla Model Y is at its lowest price yet — but should you buy one?
Tesla Model Y

Despite increased competition in the space, the Tesla Model Y is still one of the best EVs out there. It has access to the best charging network, plus it offers among the best software experiences, as well as a solid range, especially in the longer-range models. And the Model Y is now down to its lowest price yet, meaning that if you were considering getting one, now is probably the time to buy.

The base price of the Tesla Model Y is down to $42,990 at the time of this writing, which represents a pretty huge price cut. That's before any tax incentives too -- and considering the car is eligible for the full $7,500 tax credit, that means you could get it for as low as $35,490.

Read more