Subaru details BRZ Australian spec

SUBARU will treat its BRZ sportscar to a mid-life update in November this year with a number of chassis and aesthetic tweaks coming Down Under, as well as a small power and torque increase for the manual.

The refresh falls into line with the model’s Toyota 86 sibling, which is mechanically identical and will get the same mechanical enhancements at about the same time locally.

Pricing is yet to be finalised and will be announced closer to the launch date at the end of the year, but a significant change from the existing $37,150 driveaway price is not expected. The price will remain “super competitive” according to Subaru.

Petrol-heads will rejoice with the update bringing an often requested but as yet unanswered power and torque boost, albeit a small one of 5kW and 7Nm to 152kW and 212Nm, but the automatic version misses out.

Extra power liberation is matched with an exhaust enhancement and larger bore pipes and matched length tracts for better flow and improved throttle response and performance.

While the six-speed auto output is unchanged at 147kW/205Nm, acceleration has improved for the manual by 0.2 seconds, with the zero to 100km/h dash now taking 7.4 seconds. Both versions have been given a new lower-geared final drive ratio, but auto acceleration is unchanged at 8.2s.

Forced induction is still a fantasy for souped-up Scoobie fans, with natural aspiration unchanged for the 2.0-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder.

The auto is included in the other various upgrades for the range, including a number of chassis modifications such as stiffened front suspension towers, reinforced cross-member, revised spring and damper settings all round and a thicker rear anti-roll bar.

Subtle exterior updates accompany the 2017 model year update with a new all-LED C-shaped headlight with LED daytime running lights and bumper design at the business end, while indicators and foglights are also now LED.

It is the same story at the back end where lighting has gone all LED and a similar revision has been applied to the rear bumper, while a new ‘garnish’ hides some of the boot hardware such as registration illumination, boot switch, reverse camera and lock barrel.

The aesthetic updates continue on the inside with a new design for the door trims and dashboard, while the central information display has been updated with a new font for a more elegant feel says Subaru.

A reshaped steering wheel has a smaller diameter and is upholstered in finer quality leather, complementing the revamped instrument panel, instrument cluster cover, knee padding and air-conditioning controls.

An update has also been given to the sound system to bring in to line with other Subaru systems with six speakers, touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity, but the car-maker does not say if any elements are from the Mark Levinson premium parts bin.