Subaru wants to build fun cars again, and it’s even created a team dedicated to the pursuit of excitement. The Japanese automaker has also filed for trademarks that appear to be destined for new STI models and revealed the Performance-B STI Concept, which will go into production for the Japanese market on the bones of the WRX. And now, the automaker has teased new WRX and BRZ variants that will be revealed at Boxerfest in Pennsylvania this coming Sunday, September 27. The venue indicates that these will be offered to the U.S. market, so what can we expect?
Subaru to Debut Enthusiast-Focused WRX and BRZ
Subaru’s announcement of the new models only gave us glimpses of the new WRX’s rear end; no details were provided beyond saying that the new WRX and BRZ variants, based on the 2027 model years of both cars, will be “limited-production, enthusiast-focused” vehicles. The teaser imagery indicates that these may simply be updates to the existing WRX tS and BRZ tS, but the wing on the back of the WRX tS is a large carbon fiber upgrade we haven’t seen before. Presumably, other aerodynamic enhancements will be made elsewhere on the body, but we don’t expect any increase on the 271-horsepower output of the current 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, which is paired with a six-speed manual feeding all four wheels.
The BRZ will likely be a similar story, with no turbocharging for the new tS, despite some customers clamoring for more power, but potentially new aerodynamic upgrades. It’s also not unthinkable that Subaru will use the launch of these new limited editions to launch some new factory-backed aftermarket upgrades, but we’ll have to wait until Sunday to see exactly what Subaru has in the pipeline.
Autoblog’s Take
Subaru
Besides the evergreen Forester, Subaru has been mostly struggling in America of late, but the WRX has been a ray of sunshine on the sales charts, and taking advantage of that momentum with a new special edition seems sensible. With the second-generation BRZ now about to enter its sixth year on sale, an updated limited edition also makes sense for the sports coupe. However, as always with a mildly hotter Subie, we can’t help but wonder if the automaker is once again testing the waters for a real performance comeback with new STI models. If the concept Japanese customers will see enter production does well, American buyers may start asking their local dealers for something similar. Fingers crossed.
