Finally, the STI version of the Subaru BRZ will be made. This car shows some great tuning and modification potential, which is great news considering its well-balanced rear-wheel drive chassis is capable of handling much more than the stock 200hp. As it stands, the STI version of the BRZ is more of a handling upgrade package than a performance boost.

Some may be gutted at this news, but the way I see it, STI are supplying us with a professionally designed and built racing chassis, one in which a few engine and turbo tweaks will take it up to the next level. If I were to own one, I’d be glad to know a simple re-map and a cat back exhaust would hopefully bump it up to the 240+bhp mark and I’d have a chassis more than capable of handling the extra grunt.

Under the tagline “Road to the Purity,” STI will sell 500 units of the BRZ tS, the tS meaning tuned by STI, denoting a suspension and handling upgrade. The BRZ tS gets a larger-diameter driveshaft, 18-inch wheels, Brembo 17-inch four-pot front and two-pot rear brakes, rear suspension link, struts, dampers, retuned stability control, and the trademark flexible strut tower bar.

Exterior bits include a front under spoiler, front fender garnish with STI logo and various badge ornamentation. The GT version, limited to 250 units, features a large carbon fibre rear wing as well. Interior includes leather steering wheel, shift knob, speedometer, engine push putton, and side sill plates. The GT adds Recaro front buckets and Alcantara trim.

The BRZ is miles away from their original Impreza and the WRX but I’d definitely own the tS version.