BRZ STI Concept breaks cover at LA

The all-new rear-wheel drive (RWD) compact sports car has been developed from an ongoing joint-project between Subaru and Toyota Motor Corporation.

The new rear-wheel drive compact sports car features a horizontally-opposed Boxer engine, enabling an ultra-low center of gravity – producing what Subaru describes as a “pure handling delight.”

Combined with Subaru’s iconic performance brand “STI”, the concept car embodies
an ultimate handling performance and symbolizes the possibilities the Subaru BRZ holds for the future.

By installing the Boxer engine as low as possible, the low hood and sleek roofline together provide a sophisticated coupe with trade mark STI performance touches for a Subaru sporting profile.

The hexagonal lower front grille, hawk eye headlights and fin-shaped fog lamps make the front face instantly recognisable as Subaru. STI-made lower front spoiler and rear wing magnify down-force and aerodynamics performance. They allow stable straight driving and excellent handling at high speeds. The rear design with bold rear fender flares, large rear-diffuser, and twin dual tailpipes is straight from the STI design book.

A new generation of the iconic WR Blue paint scheme that has characterized high performance Subarus since 1993, “WR Blue Pearl II” emphasizes the racing image and heritage.
The Boxer engine has inherent qualities of light weight, compactness, low center of gravity, and high rigidity – all pointing toward its great potential as a sports car engine. Taking full advantage of these features, a 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder direct fuel-injection gasoline engine has been developed exclusively for BRZ.

The engine has been designed with a square bore and stroke of 86 X 86 mm. Combined with Toyota’s D-4S direct injection technology (fuel injection system), high output and high environmental standards have been attained.

Compared with other Subaru models, the engine in SUBARU BRZ CONCEPT - STI - sits an impressive 120 mm lower and is positioned 240 mm closer to the center of the chassis. As a result, this car has achieved one of the lowest possible centre of gravity in cars on the market today.

By incorporating lightweight parts such as a carbon-fiber roof, the overall weight has been reduced. Subaru has also succeeded in attaining a body structure that is both lightweight and highly rigid in a striking balance. The concept car is the embodiment of pure driving enjoyment only obtainable with a “Boxer sports car”.

Its unique handling performance has been remarkably refined by adopting STI’s lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels with performance tires and STI tuned suspension with excellent lateral stiffness. Brembo brakes enhance braking performance.

Major Specifications
Overall Length / Width / Height (mm): 4,230 / 1,800 / 1,280
Wheelbase (mm): 2,570
Engine Type: 2.0-liter direct fuel injection naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder
Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine
Tires: 215/45R18 (Front), 225/45R18 (Rear)