Subaru Tecnica International Inc. (STI) today announced the release of the “SUBARU BRZ tS” which goes on sale on August 19 through Subaru dealerships in Japan.

The inherent handling performance of the Subaru BRZ has been further enhanced by using expertise developed in motorsports while achieving the “strength and nimbleness” driving committed by STI. The “SUBARU BRZ tS” offers a driver “oneness with vehicle” and “agile handling pleasure”.

Exclusive tuning such as the adoption of a large-diameter driveshaft and STI’s unique flexible parts embodies superior handling performance. Driving performance has also been enhanced by the adoption of “brembo” ventilated disc brakes, 18-inch aluminum wheels and a STI designed front under spoiler. The model comes with special features including the “STI” / “tS” ornamen ts and exclusively-made fender garnish on the exter ior as well as a speedometer with an STI logo inside, which evo ke driving excitement and pleasure of ownership.
In addition, “GT PACKAGE” model which is suitable for motorsports enthusiasts is released. The model features a STI designed dry carbon rear spoiler, black colored “BBS” designed 18-inch aluminum wheels and “Recaro” designed front bucket seat.

Subaru wants to crowd out its third-party aftermarket tuning parts, sold as Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) at dealers, and get serious about letting customers bolt real STI components onto American Subarus. The Subaru STI Performance Concept is here to establish a beachhead in the minds of consumers before the coming STI invasion. But is it enough?

So it's a showcase of what STI can do. But what can it do? For one thing, it's not turbocharged. The concept car is packing a Super GT engine, most likely a race-modified, naturally-aspirated EJ20—the predecessor to the new FA20 that powers the production car. The rest of the bits bolted on this concept aren't disclosed, but STI claims that there are chassis, suspension, and (obviously) aero upgrades.

Read between the lines, and what we're looking at is Subaru of America's hope that they can produce special, tuned-from-the-factory models that feature lots of the STI parts you see on this concept, but without making significant changes to the driveline. If that sounds loosely like the "Tuned by STI" cars sold in Japan, badged as "tS" models, you're exactly right.

How will Subaru badge STI-fettled models in the U.S.? What additional cosmetic or interior accouterments could we expect? All open questions—questions we're hoping our friends at Subaru can answer at the New York auto show. Stay tuned for more.

You wanted a proper, fire breathing Subaru BRZ STI? You got one. Only there's one slight problem: it's only a one-off concept.

Unveiled at the New York Motor Show today, Subaru announced that this ‘STI Performance Concept' is a marketing tool to better acquaint the United States of America with the fabled Japanese tuning brand, a brand that kicked off way back in 1988.

And it's some tool. It's a BRZ, obviously, here treated to lower, stiffer STI-spec suspension, new 18-inch alloy wheels, custom Brembo discs and pads, a monster rear wing, a new aero package (new front and rear bumpers, carbon fibre mirrors and side skirts), chassis fasteners - to better control body roll - a flexible tower strut bar designed by STI, and a whopping great engine.

Out goes the road-going BRZ's 2.0-litre boxer engine, and in comes the EJ20 2.0-litre single-scroll turbo boxer from Subaru's monster GT300 car that races in Japan. Yep, it's a fully fledged racing engine.

Subaru officially quotes power at 345bhp and 332lb ft of torque, but Subaru's Dominik Infante told TG.com the concept car actually produces closer to 450bhp. "They quote it lower on the stand, but that's just an agreement between the Japanese manufacturers," he smiles. "In the race series they downgrade their power, but in reality - in this concept car - that engine makes 450."

There's no word on a weight figure, but that engine is matched up to a stronger six-speed gearbox driving the rear wheels, naturally.

Inside, there are unique gauges, Recaro seats, an Alcantara steering wheel, and a new centre stack. The new bodywork, meanwhile, has been thoroughly wind-tunnel tested, so ought to keep you aerodynamically welded to your local track of choice.There's also a custom matt blue paint job, which looks might fine to our eyes.

"In the US people don't really know who STI are," explains Dominik. We suspect after this, they just might.

Here's the bad news, though: it's not a pre-production model likely to appear at any time soon, at least according to Subaru. Speaking to TopGear.com, Subaru USA President Tom Doll confirmed: "We're still a little way off. We have to do lots more engineering and testing."

Subaru's Michael McCale was even more adamant: "This is not a production car, and we do not intend to bring it to market," he told TG.com. Boo.

However, Infante offers some hope. "If it is made, I would assume it would come to the UK, it would be easier because it's already right-hand-drive," he says.

Fancy a 450bhp, fire-breathing BRZ? Of course you do. Form an orderly queue.

Subaru has done a really excellent job of making concept cars over the course of the last few years. Remember the original concept for the current-generation WRX? Supremely fantastic. The Subaru Legacy concept? An inspiring, enticingly styled mid-size sedan. Sadly, the concepts don't always translate as well when it comes time for a production version, but Subaru just revealed another concept that we are praying to the gods of hoonage finds its way into reality.

It's called the Subaru STI Performance Concept, and no it's not the BRZ STI of your dreams. Instead, it's a conceptual showcase of what will soon be potentially possible as Subaru expands the reach of STI in this country. The STI division is responsible for the motorsports, higher-performance production, and aftermarket parts side of things. So this STI Performance Concept is essentially the idea of what may be possible down the road for BRZ owners.

Still, it also shows us that Subaru knows we all want a hyper-potent sports car from them. This specific version takes that thought to a glorious extreme by leveraging knowledge and performance parts from the Super GT BRZ race car. In fact, it reportedly has the racing engine under the hood. There are also upgrades to the suspension, braking, chassis and aero, though no specifics are mentioned.

Dear Subaru,

MAKE THIS A REAL THING WE CAN BUY PLEASE.

Sincerely,

Everyone

Subaru's Michael McCale was even more adamant: "This is not a production car, and we do not intend to bring it to market," he told TG.com. Boo.

However, Infante offers some hope. "If it is made, I would assume it would come to the UK, it would be easier because it's already right-hand-drive," he says.

The STI Performance Concept signifies a plan for U.S.-expansion of Subaru Tecnica International (STI), the performance division of Subaru, in its three core business areas; aftermarket parts, STI-tuned cars and motorsports.

The expansion has already begun, with STI-engineered parts replacing Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) aftermarket parts in the U.S. market, and with STI’s increasing engineering presence in Subaru of America’s Global RallyCross team.

In the future, further models tuned by STI will be available in the US. These cars could feature more extensive modifications from the factory than previously offered, such as suspension, performance, braking, chassis and aerodynamic upgrades.

“At STI we know from our racing that to win, it is important not only to have high power, but also that all aspects of performance are balanced over the whole car,” said Yoshio Hirakawa, president of Subaru Tecnica International, Inc. “When we achieve this balance, the driver feels that the car is easy to handle and reliable, and he can use it fully to the limits of its performance. Our plan is to produce cars and accessories that drivers can really enjoy.”

The STI Performance Concept is a showcase for the engineering prowess and tuning capability of STI, featuring the racing engine developed by STI for the BRZ Super GT racecar, suspension and chassis components and aerodynamic upgrades.

Complete cars (extensive tuning by STI) and performance parts available now in Japan focus on the WRX STI, Forester and BRZ models. The Japanese domestic market uses the nomenclature “S model” as its naming for the WRX STI and uses “tS” on BRZ and Forester vehicles that have STI components, but a naming convention for any future US models has not yet been established.

STI was founded as Subaru parent company Fuji Heavy Industries’ motor sports division in 1988. In 1989, a first-generation Subaru Legacy, tuned by STI, broke the FIA-certified world speed record over 100,000 kilometers. From there, STI moved on to the World Rally Championship, winning 3 constructors championships and 3 driver championships for Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Petter Solberg. It currently competes in the Nurburgring 24 Hour Challenge race winning its class two times in 2011 and 2012 and also in the Super GT series with its BRZ-based Super GT.