When Toyota and Subaru developed the FT-86 (our Scion FR-S) and the BRZ, speculation on hotter versions began before the cars hit the street. Both automakers seemed adamant that forced induction versions weren’t coming, since there wasn’t much room under-hood for turbo plumbing, a supercharger or even an intercooler of any substantial size.
The aftermarket was quick to prove them wrong, and blower kits hit the market within a few months of the cars’ release. Now comes confirmation from Automotive News (subscription required), via Autoblog, that Subaru is working on a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine for use in multiple vehicles, including an upcoming BRZ variant. That’s counter to earlier reports that a BRZ-STI would use a tuned-but-normally-aspirated engine.
The Subaru will reportedly get a twin-scroll turbo and direct fuel injection developed by Subaru, instead of the Toyota port injection system currently used on both the FR-S and BRZ. Output is expected to be in the range of 280 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, which will go a long way towards improving the car’s performance. While current versions make 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, they simply don’t feel that fast in a straight line.
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The turbocharged BRZ could appear late in 2013 as a 2014 model. There’s no word yet on price, but we’d expect an STI version of the BRZ (with the turbo engine, bigger brakes, suspension mods and other upgrades) to sticker at around $7,500 more than a base model.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
