Subaru offers added visual excitement to the BRZ with the S pack
Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86, the twin coupes that created huge cries of approval worldwide when launched are still selling at rates that make makers of competing coupes green with envy.
Though most people think of the Toyota as being the leading model in the terrific twosome, it’s actually the Subaru that should get number one listing. After all, Subaru builds the twins in its factory in Ota, Japan, and the engine has the very distinctive flat-four ‘boxer’ layout used in other Subarus. Yet, thanks to Toyota’s astonishing marketing capability it’s the 86 that leads the image race.
Subaru Australia is about to change that situation with a special sports pack for the BRZ, giving it the title of Subaru BRZ S.
The Subaru BRZ S has lowered suspension with a tower bar to further stiffen it up. The 17-inch black alloy wheels have been sourced from the STI parts bin. Complementing the lower look are visual enhancements to make it look even lower; front, side and rear under skirts, a boot-lip spoiler, finished in crystal black mica, and a rear diffuser.
Inside, the cabin is enhanced by a gear lever with a Duracon knob on manual boxes; the engine gains a push-button start.
It will come as no surprise to those who know Japanese car tuners that the BRZ S pack components are made by Subaru Tecnica International (STI), Subaru’s performance arm. Rest assured that all components in this pack are tested to the same rigorous standards as Subaru’s entire vehicle range.
Cleverly, the S pack isn’t only available to new BRZ buyers, owners of existing BRZs can have the sports pack retrofitted, provided the installation is done by an authorised Subaru dealers.
At $7195 including fitment for the automatic BRZ, and $7995 for the manual the sports pack isn’t cheap, but it does offer decent value for money.
All Subaru BRZ parts and accessories, not just those in this new pack, that are ordered online at the same time as a new BRZ and fitted prior to delivery to the customer are covered by the three-year/unlimited kilometre factory warranty that comes with the car. Items bought after the car’s delivery come with a two-year factory warranty if fitted by an authorised Subaru retailer.
The BRZ S sports pack can be seen in detail at http://subaru.com.au/brz/subarubrz/option
As well as being sold through Subaru dealers, the S pack can also be ordered online, with the components being installed before the BRZ is delivered.
Power for the BRZ comes from an all-new 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine that 147 kW at 7000 rpm, and 205 Nm of torque at 6600 revs. We’ve always loved the throaty sound of the Subaru ‘boxer’ engine and it’s even more noticeable in this car than in the other Subarus.
We do remember the ride of the standard BRZ as being quite firm, though it did remain reasonably comfortable on extended trips when we road tested it in late 2012. We haven’t yet been able to sample a new Subaru BRZ S with its even sportier suspension as yet, but will do so as soon as possible and report back to you.
National driveaway prices for the Subaru BRZ S are $45,145 (manual) and $46,925 (automatic).
