The Subaru BRZ tS appears set to return to the U.S.
market for the 2020 model year, as Environmental Protection Agency documents
have revealed. Fuel economy data published online by the EPA lists the two standard
automatic and manual 2020 BRZ models and, beneath them, a tS version with a
six-speed manual that’s been rated at 20 mpg city / 27 mpg highway, making it
slightly thirstier than the regular BRZ.
Subaru introduced the BRZ tS for the 2018 model year
and, while it didn’t feature any changes to the 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder,
it certainly looked the part. Modifications included the fitment of a manually
adjustable rear wing finished in raw carbon fiber as well as front and rear
under spoilers. Additionally, the BRZ tS was equipped with strut tower braces,
pillow-ball joints, draw stiffeners for the front suspension, STI-tuned springs
and Sachs dampers, Brembo brakes and lightweight 18-inch wheels with sticky
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
The EPA data doesn’t provide any details about what
upgrades the 2020 tS will have over the standard model, but it will probably be
identical to the 2018 model. So, no, much to the dismay of thousands of fans,
the output will remain the same – which, of course, has always been the case
despite many reports, over the past years, to the contrary.
Finally, while the 2018 tS started at US$ 34,355, we’ll
have to wait until Subaru discloses the 2020MY BRZ pricing to find out about
the current version.
