First look: STI announces 2016 Subaru BRZ tS [full picture gallery]

STI announces a new 2016 Subaru BRZ tS which will be available today in Japan. What is special about the new BRZ tS?

Subaru Tecnica International Inc. (STI) has released information on the new 2016 Subaru BRZ tS (tuned by STI). It’s a Japan-only model and will only be offered in the home country. U.S. and other global markets like Australia and Europe will have to wait. What sets the BRZ tS apart?

STI and Subaru have released tS versions of the BRZ before and this model gets a few extra upgrades for the suspension and interior over previous models. STI manages Subaru’s motorsport activities and performance division and operates in a separate facility in Mitaka, Tokyo. The company is run by President Yoshio Hirakawa and has developed the Forester tS they released in Japan last year.

BRZ tS upgrades

This 2016 Subaru BRZ gets a number of upgrades to the chassis which are provided by STI. It features a tuned suspension that includes larger STI-designed, black colored 18-inch aluminum wheels with 225/40ZR18 tires wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport performance tires. Stopping power is provided by 17-inch Brembo 4-pot ventilated disc brakes in the front with STI logo and 17-inch Brembo 2-pot ventilated disc brake with STI logo in the rear.

STI enhanced the base BRZ’s chassis performance by using their expertise developed in its motorsport activities. The upgrades include STI-designed lateral link with pillow ball bush (front inside, rear inside), STI-tuned front suspension (inverted-strut front suspension) and coil springs, STI-tuned rear damper and coil springs, STI-designed flexible V-shaped bar, STI-designed flexible draw stiffener (front), STI-designed large-diameter drive shaft and exclusively-tuned VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control).

Exterior and interior enhancements

BRZ tS comes with special features including the “STI” / “tS” ornaments and exclusively-made fender garnish on the exterior. Outside it gets and STI-designed front under spoiler, “STI” ornament (front and rear), “tS” ornament (rear), front bumper with cherry red colored facing and LED lamps, rear bumper with cherry red colored facing, STI designed front fender garnish with a black “STI” logo. It also comes with black colored electric folding door mirrors and black shark fin roof antenna.

Inside, this STI-enhanced BRZ comes with a number of upgrades that features black leather “Recaro”-designed front bucket seats exclusively made for STI and a speedometer with an STI logo inside. Other upgrades include a black Alcantara speedometer with red stitching, carbon tone instrument panel and ornament (“tS Limited Edition 300”), leather lapped steering wheel with “STI” ornament and red stitching, leather gear knob with STI logo and red push button ignition with STI logo. It also gets a red side ventilation grill, side sill plate with STI logo, special Alcantara door trim with red stitching and shoulder pad with black stitching.

Unfortunately, there are no changes to the drivetrain. It remains the same with a 200hp naturally aspirated boxer engine. It still comes mated to a 6-speed standard gearbox and 6-speed automatic as an option. STI says they will pipe in an engine “Sound Creator designed by MAHLE Filter Systems in Japan to further enhance the driving experience inside the cabin.

Performance fans in Japan can get the BRZ tS in 4 exterior colors, Sunrise Yellow (with a maximum of 100 units), WR Blue Pearl, Crystal White Pearl and Crystal Black Silica. The new 2016 Subaru BRZ tS’s production will be limited to 300 units and must be pre-ordered by October 12, 2015. The sports coupe goes on sale as of today and will begin arriving in Subaru dealer showrooms later this fall. Other global markets will have to wait for their STI-enhanced BRZs.