2024 Subaru BRZ tS previews incoming changes to Toyota GR86 sports car twin

Subaru has resurrected the tS flagship for its second-generation BRZ, which adds a number of performance-orientated components to make it a more capable track car, as well as boosted safety.

Shown off in the US intially and making its Australian debut at the weekend's Subinats owner event, the new top-spec BRZ will arrive in Australia next year alongside model-year 2024 changes to the sports car.

Subaru Australia Managing Director Blair Read said the new BRZ variant will take the fan-favourite coupe to the next level.

“The BRZ is a fantastic all-round package and the Subaru engineers have now gone one step further with the tS variants handling, performance and design,” he said.

“The engineering attention to detail is what makes the BRZ the complete drivers package.”

The tS was part of the first-generation BRZ line-up from 2017 and the new version carries over much of the same performance tweaks as before.

That means STI-tuned suspension and Brembo brakes, as well as sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres on all four of its 18-inch aluminium wheels.

However, most notably is the inclusion of Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology – the first time the safety suite has been on offer with a manual gearbox.

Subaru US notes that “all 2024 Subaru BRZ models equipped with a manual transmission will include EyeSight as standard equipment”, which means the tech is likely to push pricing up for Australia’s updated model.

EyeSight includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning that were exclusive to automatic-equipped Subarus up to this point.

From the outside, the new BRZ tS can be distinguished by variant-specific badging, Crystal Black Silica side mirrors and antenna, as well as its dark-grey aluminium wheels.

Inside, the tS boasts blue contrast stitching, an STI-branded starter button and red highlights on the 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, on top of features standard on the Limited grade (known as S in Australia) such as a leather steering wheel, sports seats, dual-zone climate control and an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen.

However, there are no changes to the powertrain, which is still a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated horizontally opposed four-cylinder petrol engine that punches out 174kW/250Nm to the rear wheels.

The tS is also offered exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox, while a Torsen limited-slip differential at the rear adds to its dynamic capabilities.

For reference, the Australia’s 2023 Subaru BRZ line-up kicks off from $40,290 before on-road costs and tops out at $45,390, so to pay closer to $50,000 for the tS sports coupe.