Newly-Remodeled Subaru BRZ Won’t Arrive in the UK Until Spring

British consumers will have to wait until the weather warms up to begin seeing the newly-remodeled 2017 Subaru BRZ. The sports coupe won’t begin arriving in UK showrooms until next spring. It gets the same updates over the outgoing sports car as the US-spec model. The Brits only get one trim for 2017.

Outside, the 2017 BRZ features a wider and lower stance for improved aerodynamics. The 45 degree stepped accent on the bumper limits airflow into the air intake, which also improves handling and ride. The BRZ’s front facia is finished off with full-LED headlights, a Subaru first. New design rear lamps and aerodynamic pedestal spoiler top off the rear of the car, and the wheels are now a 10 spoke aluminum design.

Inside, BRZ gets a new 4.2-inch color LCD multi-information display that features a G force meter, steering angle gauge, brake force gauge, lap timer and torque/power curves. The steering wheel also gets a redesign with a smaller diameter and new leather to increase the driver’s grip and is finished off with audio control switches. Subaru enhanced the interior of the sports coupe using higher quality materials throughout, including Alcantara and leather seats.

New upgrades underneath

Subaru engineers improved responsiveness, stability and comfort by updating the coil springs and dampers as well as BRZ getting a larger rear stabilizer bar. Subaru added reinforcements to the chassis and strut tower braces, transmission cross-member plate and the rear wheel housings to increase BRZ’s rigidity. The stability control system thresholds are raised to further improve handing.

The new “Track” mode enhances the stability of the car and allows for more refined accelerator inputs when driving on race circuits and consolidates the previous 5 VDC modes into 4. For urban drivers, there is a new type of Hill Start Assist (HSA) to help with uphill starts or downhill reversing.

Added horsepower

The 2.0-liter engine remains naturally aspirated. But the BRZ powerplant gets several internal updates for friction reduction including new valves, camshaft and cylinder heads. Accompanied with a new aluminum intake manifold and redesigned exhaust manifold for increased air flow, the engine output in models with the 6-speed manual transmission is increased to 205hp and 156 lb-ft of torque. Subaru says acceleration will improve on 6-speed manual models with a new lower final drive ratio from 4.1 to 4.3:1. It’s mated with the standard Torsen limited-slip differential.

The 2017 Subaru BRZ will be available in SE Lux trim only with either a manual or automatic transmission when it arrives in the UK this spring. Prices will be announced closer to dealer launch.

Photo credit: Subaru