Subaru’s BRZ adds Toyota 86 updates for free

SUBARU has added a mix of Toyota’s running changes to the 86 2+2 sports car to its twin-under-the-skin BRZ, but unlike Toyota, Subaru has not played around with pricing.

The boxer-engined, rear drive BRZ gains the shark fin antenna instead of the bee-sting version, and similar suspension tweaks to make it ride better on rougher surfaces.

Despite the upgrades, Subaru said the drive-away pricing for the tweaked BRZ would stay at $37,150.

In contrast, Toyota’s running changes introduced to its 86 sports coupe saw the price of the range-topping $36,490 GTS rise by $500 for the manual version and $800 for the $38,790 automatic. Inside, it gains a frameless rear-vision mirror, while brushed aluminium-look trim is ditched in favour of more sporty-looking faux carbon-fibre.

Subaru says it has also improved the BRZ’s smart key beyond the previous model’ s keyless start system, as well as expanded the colour palette with three new hues.

“BRZ has consistently received top marks for its suspension and the latest changes, which are unique to the model, will only add to the legend,” Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior said.

At 589 sales in total over the first seven months of this year, BRZ is still performing well for Subaru in Australia, although it is the brand’s slowest-selling model behind the Liberty mid-size sedan and wagon.

In contrast, Toyota’s 86 sold 493 units last month alone, with cumulative sales for the year topping out at 2652 units.

Earlier this year, Subaru moved sales of the BRZ from an online-only showroom and into dealerships after supply restraints for the Australian market were resolved.