RE: Subaru BRZ ts launched (in Japan)

RE: Subaru BRZ ts launched (in Japan)

Wednesday 1st July 2015

Subaru BRZ ts launched (in Japan)

No more power but a host of interesting tweaks for the latest STI-fettled BRZ



Let's make the power situation very clear because it inevitably comes up very quickly in any BRZ/GT86 discussion. Despite the presence of STI badges and that stunning New York concept, this is not a faster BRZ. With 200hp at 7,000rpm and 151lb ft between 6,400-6,600rpm, it is just like any other standard Toyobaru. All clear?

New wheels, tyres, brakes, dampers - proper job!
New wheels, tyres, brakes, dampers - proper job!
Good, because this is still an intriguing car, proving that Subaru is certainly keen to sanction factory-backed tuning and optimisation. It also looks pretty cool, the deletion of the rear spoiler and the addition of the STI splitter certainly doing the BRZ a favour visually.

Tyres are usually the second thing to be discussed around the BRZ after the performance; the ts runs 225/40 ZR 18 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, a much more performance oriented tyre than the standard Primacy rubber. The wheels are of an STI design. There are also Brembo brakes front and rear and tuned STI suspension as well; springs and dampers, plus the "flexible V-shaped bar" and "flexible draw stiffener" have had a Subaru Technica International refresh.

The Vehicle Dynamics Control ESP system has been recalibrated, along with the intake sound resonator. Subaru claims the STI complete car "achieves both agile handling performance evoking a racing car" as well as a "high quality ride". It also promises "inherent handling pleasure". Quite.

There's the usual smattering of badges and interior trinkets (including some very nice seats) to mark the BRZ ts out as a special edition, plus the choice of Sunrise Yellow, WR Blue, Crystal White and Crystal Black paint. There will only be 300 made for Japan, costing 3,694,444 yen, or just over £19K at today's exchange rate. Now if Subaru could just find a way of making the ts mods a dealer-fit handling pack in the UK...





   

 

Author
Discussion

Steve vRS

Original Poster:

4,836 posts

240 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
I do like those seats.

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
I hate to be the first to mention it (If I am) but I just couldn't buy something that looks fast and then I'd get done by a chav in his Corsa VXR.

Arregueti

6 posts

119 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
Those are the Recaro seats of the outgoing Evora... That's where I would put my money.

LordGrover

33,531 posts

211 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
More fiddling at the edges.
I wish they'd do something 'real' or of merit to it. Over three years old and pretty much the same thing with 'new' trim packs.

glasgowrob

3,232 posts

120 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
GravelMachineGun said:
I hate to be the first to mention it (If I am) but I just couldn't buy something that looks fast and then I'd get done by a chav in his Corsa VXR.
Don't worry about hot hatches
The diesel repmobiles would have you in a straight line smile


Amazing cars but as above crying out for another 80-100 hp

mikey P 500

1,236 posts

186 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
Best styled version yet, alot nice looking the aero body kitted gt86.

MrBarry123

6,025 posts

120 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
hora said:
glasgowrob said:
Don't worry about hot hatches
The diesel repmobiles would have you in a straight line smile


Amazing cars but as above crying out for another 80-100 hp
Use your driving ability and/or learn how match gears to the engine and lift/drive smoother.... wink

Turbo's can teach laziness and a detriment to driving talent/skill.
Yes, but the cars mentioned above would still bugger you regardless of how good a driver you were.

Neeb

1 posts

104 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
Why are ALL car manufacturers unable to sign-off any new or updated design without first fitting it with the obligatory black/grey/two-tone wheels? You can achieve the same effect by cleaning just the paintwork and windows (taking care to not clean your wheels) for around nine months.

Put bright silver (or even white) wheels on the Toyobaru and it would look infinitely better.

Matt Bird

1,450 posts

204 months

PH Reportery Lad

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
GravelMachineGun said:
I hate to be the first to mention it (If I am) but I just couldn't buy something that looks fast and then I'd get done by a chav in his Corsa VXR.
So? GT86/BRZ aren't about the numbers. Yes it could handle more power but it's certainly enjoyable as is. Let the chavs go fast in a straight line!

corcoran

533 posts

273 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
Do loathe that nonsensical spoiler on the standard cars. Good to see that unlike mk1 Audi TT, it's not required.

Wait.. it still doesn't go any faster?

aka_kerrly

12,415 posts

209 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
glasgowrob said:
GravelMachineGun said:
I hate to be the first to mention it (If I am) but I just couldn't buy something that looks fast and then I'd get done by a chav in his Corsa VXR.
Don't worry about hot hatches
The diesel repmobiles would have you in a straight line smile

Are we still having the same old discussion?!?

Thought PH was one of the places that recognised that the GT86/BRZ is about driving pleasure an is never intended to be a straight line missile.

For what it's worth the 0-100mph time for a GT86 is almost identical to a BMW E30 M3, is within 1 seconds of a Corsa VXR turbo and the same as a current BMW 320D so it's hardly pedestrian!

I still can't get over how shafted we are in the UK that a special edition with all the STI upgrades costs less than second hand standard models here, that's far more upsetting than worrying about some chap in a Corsa!

iwantcheese5

76 posts

126 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
MrBarry123 said:
hora said:
glasgowrob said:
Don't worry about hot hatches
The diesel repmobiles would have you in a straight line smile


Amazing cars but as above crying out for another 80-100 hp
Use your driving ability and/or learn how match gears to the engine and lift/drive smoother.... wink

Turbo's can teach laziness and a detriment to driving talent/skill.
Yes, but the cars mentioned above would still bugger you regardless of how good a driver you were.
Don't be so insecure, does it really matter if a boring diesel car is faster than you? tongue out It's a simple feelgood drivers car (see MX-5 + 2 seats and a boot) not a stat-weapon. Sure it could handle more power but I'm not sure that would make it a better road car.

LordGrover

33,531 posts

211 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
They're invariably not 'faster'. On a flat straight they may get to 100kmh in less time but once you hustle them round a circuit or some nice roads the real performance is revealed.

TheFinners

543 posts

126 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
MrBarry123 said:
Yes, but the cars mentioned above would still bugger you regardless of how good a driver you were.
What if you aren't interested in willy waving at the traffic lights?

RyanTank

2,850 posts

153 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
This Toybaru is becoming a car very similar to the Hyundai Coupe (imho) looks fast, doest go very fast.

But you know what, when I drive the mrs gen3 Coupe, I actually quite enjoy giving it a hammering over the mountains and through the lanes. It handles really well and despite needing gobs more of power I still get a laugh out of it. (often get laughed at getting out of it too, but heyho wink )

People seem to be missing the point Toybaru set out with. A great handling rwd sports car. In that brief it is a success, Should you want more power there are plenty of companies out there offering upgrades, like Litchfield who for just under £1500 will fit their 'performance pack' and take it up to just over 200bhp.
Or chuck them more money for the supercharger kit.


I'd happily have one of these to replace the Hyundai. if I trusted her with it being RWD!

And as for getting mugged at lights/straight lines by chavs/rep mobiles. I couldn't really give two sts I drive for my enjoyment not for traffic light GP's

DeanHelix

135 posts

154 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
Subaru UK, if you're reading this, bring that version to the UK and you can finally have my money. In black please. Cheers!


loose cannon

6,029 posts

240 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
Arregueti said:
Those are the Recaro seats of the outgoing Evora... That's where I would put my money.
Also the same seats as my Meg 250

loose cannon

6,029 posts

240 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
TheFinners said:
What if you aren't interested in willy waving at the traffic lights?
What if you can't keep up on any twistys either ? That leaves you with drifting around roundabouts

Kosy

99 posts

160 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
The next WRX STi needs those seats. Badly.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
quotequote all
aka_kerrly said:
For what it's worth the 0-100mph time for a GT86 is almost identical to a BMW E30 M3, is within 1 seconds of a Corsa VXR turbo and the same as a current BMW 320D so it's hardly pedestrian!

I still can't get over how shafted we are in the UK that a special edition with all the STI upgrades costs less than second hand standard models here, that's far more upsetting than worrying about some chap in a Corsa!
Actually tested 2 seconds faster to 100mph (18.8 ) than the 320d saloon or 220d coupe (20.9 )

That's as per the Autocar timed tests using proper timing gear