Subaru has unveiled the new limited-production BRZ STI Sport Type RA, bringing an upgraded chassis, boxer engine and transmission, and a plethora of STI accessories – but you probably won’t be able to buy one.
Limited to just 300 units, the Japan-only model is derived from a Subaru BRZ seed in the Japanese Super Taikyu racing series, which typically fields lightly modified production models. The STI Sport Type RA, therefore, features only minor mechanical tweaks, but all are claimed to have honed the BRZ’s performance capabilities.
At its heart is still a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated flat-four boxer engine – producing the same 174kW of power and 250Nm of torque – which Subaru has modified and dubbed a ‘balanced boxer’. This principle was introduced with Subaru’s longstanding EJ20 race engine, but has now been carried over to the BRZ’s FA24 production engine.
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The Japanese brand says this was achieved by implementing stricter tolerances during the manufacturing of the engine’s flywheel, crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons, resulting in more balanced internal rotation and smoother performance, albeit with no extra power or torque.
Compared to the standard production BRZ, Subaru says the flywheel is 67 per cent lighter and the clutch cover is 50 per cent lighter, while the connecting rods have a 50 per cent reduction in weight tolerance, and the crankshaft has an 80 per cent reduction in rotational balance tolerance.
The brand claims this makes the engine much smoother than the FA24 fitted to mass-produced BRZs.
Additionally, the car is fitted with a modified six-speed manual transmission that now incorporates automatic rev-matched downshifting and flat-foot upshifting.
Enhancing the BRZ’s handling are new suspension dampers, sourced from European automotive powerhouse ZF. Chassis rigidity is bolstered by flexible strut bars, while 18-inch forged alloy wheels are standard in either matte grey or bronze finishes, depending on the model.
Other unique components include an STI performance muffler, an STI front under spoiler, and STI rear side under spoilers, while the car’s main eye-catcher is a large carbon-fibre rear wing. This wing was fitted to Subaru’s Super Taikyu BRZ and has also been featured on the limited-run WRX S210.
All cars will get large Brembo brakes with painted gold calipers, along with a Torsen limited-slip differential.
Of the 300 units, 100 will be fitted with the carbon-fibre wing, and 200 will be ‘wingless’. Winged models will feature bronze-coloured alloy wheels, while the rest get the matte-grey alternative.
Standard is Subaru’s iconic WR Blue Pearl, though Crystal White Pearl will also be available at an additional cost. The interior still features black sports seats with red stitching, while synthetic leather upholstery features on areas like the doors.
As is typical for limited-run performance cars in Japan, the BRZ STI Sport Type RA will be available only via a lottery. The wingless model is priced at ¥4,972,000 (~A$49,230), while the more exclusive winged alternative costs ¥5,478,000 (~A$54,250).
For context, the top-spec Subaru BRZ tS manual costs $49,190 before on-roads in Australia.
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