Subaru has revealed the facelifted BRZ, which boasts updated styling and a slight increase in power.
The news follows Toyota’s unveiling of the facelifted 86 in March 2016; the two are, of course, closely related.
Like Toyota, Subaru says that its updated sports-car gains improved handling – thanks to uprated coil springs and dampers, and a larger rear stabiliser bar – as well as new convenience features.
The Subaru BRZ’s rigidity has also been increased thanks to additional reinforcements to the strut tower braces, transmission cross-member plate and the rear wheel housings.
The stability control system thresholds have furthermore been raised, with the resultant changes dramatic enough for Subaru to change the name of “Sport” mode to “Track” mode.
So, what about that power hike? Well, don’t get too excited. The naturally aspirated 2,0-litre Boxer four-cylinder engine remains, but has received internal updates for friction reduction, including new valves, camshaft and cylinder heads.
There’s also a new aluminium intake manifold and a redesigned exhaust manifold. The result of all this under-bonnet fettling? The six-speed manual model sees its peak power increase from 147 kW to 153 kW, while maximum torque rises from 205 N.m to 212 N.m. So, the same as the facelifted Toyota 86, then.
The brand adds that a lower final drive ratio (from 4.1 to 4.3:1) together with the standard Torsen limited-slip differential “improves acceleration on models with the manual transmission”.
Cosmetic changes, meanwhile, include a new front bumper, new full-LED headlights, LED fog-lamps, and a new aluminium rear spoiler (in matching body colour and black finish). The tail-lamps have also been updated to full-LED, and the rear garnish above the licence plate features a new design. There are also new alloy wheel designs on offer.
Inside, there’s a new 4,2-inch multifunction display and a redesigned leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Will this updated model be offered in South Africa? Unfortunately not, with our contact at Subaru Southern Africa suggesting local buyers still favour the WRX over the BRZ due to the “major power output difference”. This was, however, to be expected, with the outgoing BRZ having been pulled from the local market back in September 2015.
