Subaru overhauled its BRZ sports car for 2022. The new version is one of the best manual transmission cars on the market. And Subaru just teased that they will debut a "sharper and more focused" version of the car at Subiefest California on July 23.
What is the big upgrade Subaru has planned for the BRZ for 2024? We don't know yet. But we can deploy some deductive reasoning and make some educated guesses.
The BRZ is Subaru's lowest-volume car
The BRZ isn't a mission-critical cash machine for Subaru. The brand sold 2,512 BRZs in America through the first half of 2023. That's up 51.1 percent. But for context, Subaru sold more than six times as many WRXs and 32 times as many Outbacks over the same period. That doesn't preclude Subaru from updating the BRZ. But it does weigh against Subaru putting a huge, costly R&D effort into the BRZ for relatively little return.
Subaru is working on EyeSight for its MT vehicles
Subaru has earned major plaudits for its EyeSight driver assistance safety technology. A major issue for Subaru is that it hasn't worked with manual transmissions. Subaru has announced it is working to rectify that. But we don't think Subaru would ramp up the anticipation for BRZ fans only to drop "sharper and more focused" safety tech.
No, the BRZ probably isn't getting a turbocharger
Subaru adding a turbocharger for the BRZ would not be impossible; the turbo version of its 2.4-liter engine is the engine for the WRX. And we'd suspect the reasoning was more cost vs. insurmountable technical hurdle. But spending a large amount on a turbocharged BRZ STI would be nutty when bigger transitions are afoot.
There have also been rumors about the car moving to a new platform and a 300-horsepower hybrid. Though that would not be until the new generation drops.
The best bet may be a performance package
Toyota unveiled a dealer-installed performance pack upgrade for the BRZ's Toyota GR86 twin last month. It adds high-performance ZF SACHS dampers and Brembo brakes and comes standard on the new Truneo edition (also installable on other GR86s and 2022 models with 18-inch wheels). Those upgrades would certainly make the BRZ sharper and more focused. While it seems like the most likely possibility, we'll be sure to keep you posted as we learn more.
