Subaru BRZ facelift trumps Toyota 86

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.

Subaru goes a step further, however, by uniquely offering a Performance Pack option featuring Brembos/Sachs upgrades … only to then dash the hopes of local buyers by confirming such a package won’t be offered here.

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.

For the first time the BRZ also gets trip computer controls mounted on its (newly designed) steering wheel, allowing drivers to access driving information on a new 4.2-inch colour TFT screen positioned to the right of the speedometer.

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.

On the outside, new LED headlights and foglights – replacing the previous halogen units – and a redesigned front bar round out the styling changes for what is a very light facelift.

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.