---
title: "Subaru Stirs the BRZ STi Pot"
description: "A teaser photo on Twitter implies we won't have to wait long to see what Subaru has up their sleeve."
date: "2017-05-30"
modified: "2017-05-30"
authors:
  - name: "Justin Hughes"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/justin-hughes"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/10813/subaru-stirs-the-brz-sti-pot"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "BRZ"
  - "compact"
  - "Coupe"
  - "Future Cars"
  - "sports car"
  - "Spy Photos"
  - "STI"
  - "Subaru"
---

# Subaru Stirs the BRZ STi Pot

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/05/subarubrz-hero.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Last week we showed you [a barely disguised Subaru BRZ](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/10580/spy-shots-indicate-possible-subaru-brz-sti-in-the-works>) that [*Autoblog*](<https://www.autoblog.com/2017/05/23/subaru-brz-sti-spy-shots/>) suspected to be a possible STi variant—one that enthusiasts have been crying for ever since the BRZ's introduction. This afternoon, Subaru tweeted an image of what appears to be a BRZ trunk lid with a spoiler identical to the one in *Autoblog*'s spy shots, saying simply "Stay tuned... 6/8/17. #STI." The distinctive trunk and tail light contours identify the car in the picture as a BRZ. This pours about a gallon of gasoline on the fire of rumors about a potential BRZ STi, and seems to confirm the existence of this car. But what, exactly, will this BRZ STi be, besides a BRZ with a giant rear wing?

https://twitter.com/_/status/869619237517762560

In their article about the disguised car they saw, *Autoblog* speculated that the hypothetical BRZ STi may only be a North American version of the BRZ tS, previously available only in Japan. *Road and Track*

[tested the BRZ tS](<https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/reviews/a25439/first-drive-2015-subaru-brz-ts-japan-spec/>) at Suzuka in 2015, and reported that it had a number of handling, braking, and chassis improvements, as well as 18" Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. But the BRZ tS was lacking the one thing just about everyone wants - more power. As *Autoblog* noted, the car they saw did not have the top mount intercooler that Subaru favors, indicating that it does not have forced induction. The BRZ (and its clone, the [Toyota 86](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/2602/the-scion-fr-s-is-dead-long-live-the-new-toyota-86>)) has its flat-4 engine mounted extremely low in the car, around knee height (source: my own 2014 BRZ), leaving plenty of room for an intercooler under the BRZ's hood. Though it is possible there may be a front mount intercooler instead, as well as a turbo or supercharger in place of the standard air box, based on the earlier BRZ tS the potentially upcoming STi package may be limited to handling and brakes only - components that the aftermarket already offers, as well as the existing [Performance Package](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/7132/subarus-new-brz-performance-pack-is-better-at-the-good-things-but-the-old-gripes-remain>).

According to Subaru's tweet, all will be revealed on June 8.

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