The bulk of the modifications are invisible to the naked eye, but that doesn’t mean they’re not significant. The tS gains a thoroughly revised suspension setup on both axles that makes the ride a little stiffer but more responsive, ventilated brake discs gripped by Brembo calipers, a V-shaped brace in the engine bay and a bigger half shafts designed by STI. Subaru has also re-programmed the traction-control system to make it less intrusive.
Careful observers can tell the tS apart from a regular BRZ because it gets a model-specific spoiler up front and new bumpers with cherry red accents on both ends. Black 18-inch alloys wrapped by Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires add a finishing touch to the look.
Buyers can choose between four colors called Sunrise Yellow, WR Blue Pearl, Crystal White Pearl, and Crystal Black Silica, respectively. Sunrise yellow is available on a first-come, first-served basis and Subaru will delete the color from the catalog once it has built 100 cars.
The updates continue inside the cabin with a custom STI-branded instrument cluster, leather upholstery on the steering wheel and shift knob, and carbon fiber-look trim on the dashboard. The front passengers sit on Recaro bucket seats upholstered in a combination of leather and Alcantara, and all cars ship with a numbered metal plaque.
STI has not made any engine modifications to the BRZ, meaning the tS is powered by a 2.0-liter flat-four mill that makes 200 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 foot-pounds of torque between 6,400 and 6,600 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via either a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic unit.
On sale now in Japan, the Subaru BRZ tS is limited to just 300 examples. At the time of writing Subaru is not planning on offering a similar package in the United States, but the automaker has previously announced that more STI-tuned cars will be launched in the coming years so all hope is not lost.
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