Turns out Subaru is not going to launch an STI version of the BRZ anytime soon, and that those teasers we saw earlier belonged to this car, the Subaru BRZ tS. It is a factory-tuned limited edition for the Japanese market, and in many way it is a full-blooded STI.

I mean the car is fitted with so many STI designed and developed parts that there is no other way around it. We reckon Subaru has something even cooler in store for the official BRZ STI, hence the tS badge that adorns this car’s rear-end.

So what sets this limited edition of just 500 units apart? Well, apart from the engine that remain in its standard 200bhp tune, the rest of the car is a BRZ turned up to eleven. There is a fully uprated suspension featuring STI struts and coil springs, dampers, tower bars, and stiffeners, making the car more track-focused. Helping that end is a set of STI designed 18” x 7 1/2J aluminum wheels wrapped with 225 Michelin tires.

STI experts have also fiddled with the driveshaft, the VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control), and the air filter. Those technical upgrades complement the visual treatment that on the outside includes front spoiler and rear wing, fender garnish and STI ornaments, while the interior gets sport seats with red stitching and STI logo, carbon tone instrument panel, sport pedals, ignition button, and key cover.

Further customization is also possible, thanks to a number of options such as Recaro bucket seats, dry carbon rear spoiler, and black STI wheels.