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Subaru’s New AWD Beast Is a True Enthusiast Unicorn

It’s got a turbo and all-paw traction, but it’s not for us, let alone regular roads.

Blue Subaru race car front with white wheels and multiple sponsor decals on the hood and side.Subaru
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By Chris Chin

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Guess what: Subaru has finally made a turbocharged BRZ for the first time. And it’s even got all-wheel drive! After all these years …

Except, sadly, you can’t have it.

That’s because the BRZ in question is Subaru STI’s latest Boxer Rally Spec. Z Rally racecar, built specifically for this year’s Super Taiku touring car motorsports league in Japan.

So, it’s just another day and there’s another fun and hot Subaru that we can’t get.

Rebooting Subaru’s rally pedigree

Blue Subaru race car with white wheels and sponsors, flanked by two drivers in blue racing suits.
Say hello to the world’s first factory turbocharged Subaru BRZ.
Subaru

But all is not lost. The BRZ Rally Spec.Z is more than just the proverbial, unobtainium dream model that everyone wants.

It also represents Subaru’s desire to get back into the motorsports scene. After almost two decades of slaying it in the World Rally Champion and other worldly racing leagues, Subaru pulled the plug on all of its motorsports efforts in 2008 in response to the global financial crisis.

Instead, it focused on family-friendly and commuter car culture, leading to the demise of some of its signature, affordable enthusiast cars. And, as a result, the “bore-ification” of the brand (if we’re being honest).

Blue Subaru race car with sponsor logos and a large rear spoiler in motion on a road.
It’s the BRZ Rally Spec. Z and as you can probably tell from the name, it’s sadly not for public roads.
Subaru

But now, times have changed, and the public is demanding more fun and interesting ways to get out and about. Subaru is on quest to bring back some of its former glory, and that means getting back into the things that got it world recognition in the first place.

The BRZ Spec.Z Rally is the brand’s competition-spec car for this year’s Super Taiku Japanese touring car an enduring racing series.

The elusive turbo BRZ

Blue Subaru race car with white wheels and multiple sponsor logos parked indoors against a striped wall.
This is also the world’s first BRZ with factory-equipped all-wheel drive.
Subaru

For years, ever since the BRZ debuted back in 2012, fans and general sports car enthusiasts have been outspoken about their craving for a turbocharged model. That’s because both Subaru and Toyota, both of whom are responsible for the BRZ and its Toyota cousin, the GT86, continue offering the model with only a naturally-aspirated gasoline four-cylinder.

Many complained about the model being underpowered. Hence, the desire for a peppier variant.

But modest power has always been part of the car’s ethos. The BRZ and GT86 are all about affordable, small, lightweight fun with an emphasis on handling and balance. Not blistering power.

Two Subaru BRZ sports cars, one blue with a large rear wing and one silver, parked on a wet dark surface at night.
To date, all Subaru BRZs (and their Toyota cousins) have been rear-wheel-drive and naturally-aspirated.
Subaru Technica International

It’s the same sort of ethos that’s defined other iconic sports cars like the Mazda Miata, Lotus Elise and pretty much every small, featherweight British and Italian sports car preceding those.

The BRZ’s and GT86’s ethos, however, hasn’t stopped fans from wanting more.

A true unicorn

Blue Subaru car engine bay with visible intercooler piping and various hoses.
Look at all that turbocharged boxer four glory.
Subaru

How much more does the BRZ Rally Spec.Z tease? According to various sources, it sports a turbocharged “FA24” 2.4-liter flat-four. That’s in essence, the same engine as the current WRX.

Though, it’s obviously been reworked a bit for heavier racing duties. And it’s also attached to a bespoke, racing-spec six-speed sequential manual gearbox.

Subaru didn’t reveal official output figures. But it’s probably in the neighborhood of around 300 horsepower as there are power limitations due to the league’s qualification rules.

Blue Subaru rally car with white wheels and multiple sponsor logos parked on asphalt with trees in the background.
It might not be for us regular folk, but it’ll still be epic to watch this thing slide around in the dirt or on the track.
Subaru

Other highlights include a bespoke, purpose-built all-wheel-drive system, which Subaru chose to equip to tighten its aim on its arch rival, the racing-spec GR Yaris RC2.

The model will make its official debut at the All Japan Rally in early May. Sadly, the Japanese rally league has no production homologation requirements.

Meaning, the manufacturers who are participating aren’t being forced to produce road-going variants to qualify, which was a common practice in older rally championship leagues. It’s also a rule that’s led to the creation of some of history’s greatest road-legal sports car icons.

But one can only dream.

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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