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Subaru Just Unveiled Another Upgraded Version of Its Sports Coupe That We Can’t Have

Not only is it limited in production to just 300 units, you’ll have to enter a lottery system to be able to get one.

Blue Subaru sports car with headlights on and STI badge on front grille in motion.Subaru Technica International
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By Chris Chin

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Welp, it’s another day, and Subaru has once again given the world a harder-edged BRZ us Yanks can’t get. But rubbing salt in the wound is the fact that it’s a special edition model from the renowned tuning division, Subaru Technica International.

It’s called the STI Sport Type RA, with the “RA” abbreviating “Record Attempt.” But while it does hail from Subaru’s performance division and it does sport STI badges, you can actually rest easy.

Because the BRZ STI Sport Type RA is still technically not a full-fledged STI model. Or, at least, the faster, turbocharged version everyone’s dreaming of in the conventional sense.

Still not quite a BRZ STI

Blue Subaru sports coupe with bronze alloy wheels and large rear spoiler on a white background.
Say hello to Subaru’s sportiest BRZ yet.
Subaru Technica International

It might sport one of STI’s lesser-known badges. But the STI Sport Type RA name designates a limited-edition model built specifically to pay tribute to STI’s motorsports and performance heritage.

It’s the same heritage that also gave us the iconic, ultra-rare rare and ultra-desirable 1998 Impreza 22B STI. And, pretty much every special limited-production STI model after that.

Blue Subaru sports car with illuminated taillights and large rear spoiler at dusk.
Finally, we get an STI-badged BRZ with a massive rear wing, but still no turbo power.
Subaru Technica International

Such includes the WRX S4 STI Sport from 2020 and the WRX STI S209 from the year prior. And also, the WRX STI S210 Prototype from earlier this year. But the latter doesn’t count as it never made it past the prototype stage.

Blue Subaru BRZ STI with large rear wing and white Subaru BRZ STI on a racetrack corner.
Limited to just 300 units, the BRZ STI Sport Type RA gets a ton of motorsports-derived upgrades.
Subaru Technica International

Subaru and STI didn’t specify what “record” they’re attempting. But from the modifications, we imagine it’s a fast one.

So, what does the BRZ STI Sport Type RA get? Well, for starters, as one can see from the pics, lots of exterior body modifications.

Glossy carbon fiber rear spoiler mounted on a blue sports car.
This is likely the biggest rear wing ever fitted to a production BRZ.
Subaru Technica International

Such obvious changes include that massive rear spoiler, more aggressive lower front and rear fascias, and gold-painted multi-spoke wheels. But there’s more to it than meets the eye.

Beyond the sheetmetal

Toyota D-4S Boxer engine with STI-branded silver strut bar installed in a dark engine bay.
The BRZ STI Sport Type RA’s “FA24” features upgrades derived from its factory-prepped racecar used in the Super Taikyu Series.
Subaru Technica International

STI also fettered with the engine. Sadly, it’s not turbocharged, which is what diehard BRZ fans are hollering for.

But the performance division reworks the BRZ’s standard 2.4-liter “FA24D” boxer-four by adding motorsports-derived high-performance pistons, con rods, a lighter flywheel and crankshaft, and a new clutch cover plate.

Metal crankshaft with four attached pistons on a dark reflective surface.
This special BRZ features a whole new rotating assembly with upgraded parts for its naturally-aspirated boxer-four.
Subaru Technica International

The result supposedly is a much smoother, quicker accelerating and significantly more responsive engine.

There’s also stiffer shocks, compliments of sportier units from ZF, beefier Brembo brakes with gold-painted calipers and a rear differential with an upgraded cooling apparatus. It doesn’t stop there either.

Two black automotive shock absorbers with silver piston rods on a dark surface.
Track-focused dampers from ZF help improve handling.
Subaru Technica International

STI also reinforced the chassis with thicker anti-roll bars, a draw stiffener to increase structural rigidity and a high-flow exhaust system.

So, while the BRZ STI Sport Type RA still isn’t the turbocharged BRZ STI fans continue fantasizing about, this is still one-step closer to making a truly dedicated BRZ STI.

White and blue Subaru STI sports cars racing on a curved asphalt track with grass on the side.
If you’re lucky enough to live in Japan, you’ll still need to qualify through a lottery system to get one of these 300 units.
Subaru Technica International

But you’ll have to live in Japan in order to get one of the 300 units destined for production. And worse, there’s a special lottery system involved to qualify for purchasing one.

We’ll just have to continue making do with the BRZ tS, in the meantime.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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