The Subaru BRZ is one of the most beloved sports cars on the market, offering a pure and engaging driving experience at an affordable price. But for some, the BRZ is not enough. They want more performance, more handling, more excitement. They want the Subaru BRZ tS.
The tS stands for "tuned by STI," Subaru's legendary performance division that is responsible for some of the most iconic rally and racing cars in history. The tS is not a full-blown STI model but rather a special edition that features a number of enhancements and upgrades to make the BRZ even more fun on the track.
The Subaru BRZ tS is the second iteration of this model, following the limited-run 2018 version that sold out quickly. This time, however, Subaru is not capping the production of the tS, making it a regular trim level that will be available alongside the Premium and Limited variants.
So what makes the Subaru BRZ tS so special? Let's take a look at what this track-focused coupe has to offer.
More Grip, More Stopping Power, More Control
The Subaru BRZ tS does not get any extra power from its 2.4-liter flat-four engine, which produces 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. That may disappoint some who were hoping for a turbocharged or supercharged version of the BRZ, but Subaru believes that adding more power would compromise the balance and agility of the car.
Instead, the tS focuses on improving the chassis, suspension, brakes, and tires of the BRZ to enhance its handling and responsiveness. The tS features exclusive 18-inch aluminum wheels in dark gray metallic, wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires that provide more grip and feedback than the standard rubber. The wheels also reveal the gold-painted Brembo brake calipers, which have four pistons in the front and two in the rear. The larger rotors and upgraded pads improve the braking performance and durability of the tS, especially under repeated hard stops.
The suspension of the tS is also upgraded with new Hitachi dampers that STI tunes to provide more stability and control. The dampers are stiffer than the ones on the regular BRZ but not too harsh for everyday driving. The tS also has stiffer coil springs and a thicker rear stabilizer bar to reduce body roll and improve cornering. Additionally, the tS has a flexible V-shaped bar under the hood and a flexible draw stiffener in the rear to increase the rigidity of the chassis and enhance steering response.
