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Subaru’s facelifted BRZ will debut fresh connectivity options, a new sports steering wheel and optional Brembo brakes and Sachs dampers – although sadly the latter duo will not be offered in Australia.
The MY17 BRZ will arrive locally in the fourth quarter of this year, mostly following the changes to its Toyota 86 twin, but with secrets of its own.
As detailed to MOTOR by 86 chief engineer, Tetsuya Tada, shared changes include: raising power by 4kW/9Nm to 151kW/214Nm, lowering the manual’s final drive ratio, stiffening the rear body shell and retuning the suspension and stability control, with the latter’s Sport mode replaced by a Track mode.
A small upside is that only Subaru is detailing cabin changes to the facelifted coupe, including new connectivity options that will see our shores. Toyota, by contrast, is keeping quiet on interior alterations to its 86.
The 6.2-inch ‘Starlink’ touchscreen adorning most new Subaru models is the infotainment upgrade highlight, replacing the aftermarket-looking optional sat-nav screen used before. It now offers Pandora and Aha internet radio app integration and a first-for-BRZ rear-view camera.
Replacing the red monochromatic screen used previously, the new display includes graphs for lateral Gs, accelerator position, braking force, steering angle, oil and water temperature and battery voltage gauges, plus a lap timer.
Subaru Australia confirms the facelifted BRZ will arrive in the fourth quarter of this year, up to three months behind the revised Toyota 86, with pricing tipped to remain similar to the current $34,220 driveaway sticker.
