No joke, Subaru unveils first 2.0-liter turbo BRZ STI at NYIAS

There has been more speculation about a Subaru 2.0-liter turbo BRZ STI than any other vehicle on the planet. Today, Subaru and Subaru Tecnica International STI, the performance division of Subaru, unveiled a BRZ STI Concept car that gives us an idea of what a BRZ enhanced by STI would look like. This Concept car goes beyond just concept and Subaru says the sports coupe “signifies a plan for U.S.-expansion of STI, in its three core business areas; aftermarket parts, STI-tuned cars and motorsports.” 
 
That’s good news for performance fans as it shows Subaru is committed to the continuing creation of more STI-tuned Subaru vehicles introduced into the U.S. market in the future. Subaru has already begun expansion in the U.S. as STI has already stepped up their technical support of rallycross development with Vermont SportsCar who manages the SRT USA Global Rallycross cars. Rob Weir, Subaru Motorsports Marketing Manager stated, “STI is increasing their support of our U.S. based efforts in rallycross. Their expertise and development resources will take our program to an even more competitive level.”
 
More Subaru STI vehicles are coming
 
Subaru also says that more models tuned by STI will be available in the U.S. in the future. These STI-enhanced Subaru’s could feature more extensive modifications from the factory than previously offered, such as suspension, performance, braking, chassis and aerodynamic upgrades.  Subaru also reports that STI-engineered parts will replace Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) aftermarket parts in the U.S. market.
 
BRZ STI Concept developed from BRZ GT300
 
STI manages the race program for the 2015 BRZ GT300 that runs in the SUPER GT in Japan. The BRZ STI Performance Concept introduced at NYIAS showcases STI’s “engineering prowess and tuning capabilities” as is powered by the engine developed by STI for the BRZ Super GT300 race car. It also features the GT300’s suspension and chassis components and aerodynamic upgrades.
 
The BRZ STI Concept gets a 2.0-liter turbo engine
 
There has been much speculation about Subaru putting a 2.0-liter turbo in the BRZ. Yes, the Subaru BRZ STI Concept comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer. It comes with the same Rally-proven 2.0-liter Subaru Boxer EJ20 that powers the BRZ GT300 which has been tuned for road racing using technologies developed for the STI World Rally Championship (WRC) cars since the 1990s. The EJ20 has been modified to use a dry sump system, which has an external reservoir for oil. This allows the engine to have an even lower profile to lower vehicle height.
 
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The intercooler and air intake are both front-mounted which enhances the ram effect of incoming air, consequently increasing the airflow through the air restrictor to the turbo for greater power development at high speeds. The crankshaft is the same as used in the WRC engines and has been specially designed for strength and reduced weight. The connecting rods are steel billet and the forged aluminum pistons have been specially designed for reduced size and weight. The BRZ GT300 races against cars with large-displacement, naturally aspirated engines, and STI uses a turbo unit to increase boost to remain competitive. Could a production 2.0-liter turbo BRZ STI be coming?

Subaru hasn’t decided what the new STI vehicles will be called in the U.S. market. In Japan, Forester and BRZ models get the tS (tuned by STI) nomenclature with the WRX STI using the “S model” for the Japan domestic market. What we do know, is that there will be future STI Subaru models coming to the U.S. market. That’s very good news for performance fans. Maybe fans will finally get the 2.0-liter turbo BRZ STI.