Subaru President Indicates BRZ STI May Be US Bound - Would You Be The First In Line?

Despite the rumors over the years, Subaru finally appears to be building the US-bound BRZ we’ve been wanting from the get-go: the BRZ STI. Or is it? Speaking with Automotive News, Subaru STI President Yoshio Hirakawa flat-out admitted that "The United States is the highest priority for STI. We’d like to create a car that drivers can control like their own legs so they can push the car to the limit." As a part of that focus, the BRZ STI is on its way in “a couple of years.” However, Subaru still hasn’t decided on the exact branding and specs.

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MDarringer - 4/21/2015 8:20:21 PM

+1 Boost

If the Toyoburu stumble is to be fixed, both cars need to not look alike. The Subaru should have a Subaru engine and the Scion and Toyota engine. They need differentiation.

The real problem is that the similarly priced Mustangs offer MUCH better performance for the dollar.

The next Genesis Coupe is re-aiming in the direction of the Mustang.

The GT86/BRZ/FRS needs an emergency rethink and new sheet metal ASAP.

A hot engine with a ridiculous price isn't the answer.

Sciros - 4/22/2015 1:33:47 AM

+2 Boost

It wouldn't sell in big numbers. It would have a lot of kind words said about it in the press, and generally be in good standing among auto enthusiasts. But I don't see how it would sell even as well as the base models did, and they didn't sell all that well.

Yes, it needs a general rework. A next-gen of the car with a focus not just on power output but on lightness, especially if they're sticking with RWD over AWD.

To Darringer: the Mustang, like the Camaro, is big. It is a legit 2+2. It is not all that light. Yes, it's fast, but it's a different experience from something like that Alfa-Romeo 4C. I don't think Subaru needs to target "muscle" cars as competitors; the Japanese sports cars have their own market.

The Nissan Z similarly needs to get lighter because otherwise it really does seem to compete with the US muscle cars and doesn't really hold its own for the price.

MDarringer - 4/22/2015 10:49:02 PM

0 Boost

@Sciros American shoppers OVERWHELMINGLY shop on price point NOT on niche. I'll forgive you for not being in the industry and knowing NOTHING about marketing a and choosing to be ignorant on both. The reality is that the BRZ/FRS easily hits $30K and that buys an infinitely better Mustang.

The hachi roku is not iconic enough to overcome the clusterblam that a Subaru designed sportscar has produced. This is a terrible car.

mini22 - 4/22/2015 10:22:24 AM

+1 Boost

I'm still not clear if "STI" means a turbo or a supercharger. If there is no real power increase then people are not going to buy it.Sciros-Like or not the Toyobaru twins do play in the Mustang/Camaro arena. Also like the Camaro/Mustang etc. they are a 2 plus 2.To compete properly they do need a bit more power. Subaru needs to rework the engine for these cars as well as the WRX to give it more power and better low down torque.