[Auto/Moto] The Subaru BRZ tS Is Great, but It's Still Not an STI

[-_-Moltres-_-]

 

We aren't getting a BRZ STI, stop asking. Subaru instead will happily sell you a BRZ with some STI trimmings, like bigger brakes, a better suspension, and upgraded visual cues. The BRZ tS—or, Tuned by STI—isn't the hardcore model we've been begging for for more than 10 years now, but it still does the job well enough. Under the hood is the same 2.4-liter naturally aspirated boxer engine found in every BRZ, sending 224 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. No automatic here.Does the tS deserve more power? Of course. Even a titch of extra low-end torque would make the BRZ feel less lethargic at low rpms. Slap a turbo on there, Subaru. But the boxer engine is still a riot to rip up to its 7,000 rpm peak before slamming into second, and it's decently speedy once you get it going. It just takes a minute.But straight-line speed comes second to superb handling. For any of you maniacs who thought the standard BRZ was too soft, the tS has stiffer Hitachi dampers for added composure. The front dampers are variable to help keep the front of the car softer (marginally), while the fixed dampers in the rear ride roughshod over bumps and undulations. It's all part of the charm.The tS is magical in corners. The ride is stiff, sure, but it keeps body roll to a faint whisper and gives the car unparalleled predictability. The chassis is balanced, and the extra grip from the standard Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires is more than you'll know what to do with. The steering is top tier too, matched only by the Mazda Miata at this price in overall response, feel, and feedback. The bigger brake rotors measure 12.8 inches up front and 12.4 inches in the rear—up 1.2 and 1.0 inches over the base model. They do a better job of bringing the BRZ back down to speed without feeling overly grabby. And the brake calipers are painted gold, a subtle nod to the wheels and accents on previous STI models.The BRZ tS is a driver's car through and through. But it's not terrible as a daily, either. The ride is stiff and it is loud as hell at highway speeds, sure, but Subaru Technica International added some nicer elements to the interior to make it more livable. Extra suede accents dot the dash and door panels, blue accents line the seats, and there are STI logos aplenty (what a tease). It feels like a slight upgrade over the nicest BRZ Limited. The sport bucket seats are hella comfy and have enough bolstering for track days as well as excellent back and butt support. They do a good job of combating the rough ride. The manual adjustments make it hard to find a perfect seating position—not unexpected for a car trying to keep things light—but they are at least heated, which is nice.

https://www.motor1.com/reviews/721584/subaru-brz-ts-review/