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10 Things You Need to Know About the 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA and BRZ tS

TS
by Tony Swan
February 4, 2018
5 min. Reading Time
2018 Subaru TypeRA BRZ tS hero ・  Photo by Subaru

2018 Subaru TypeRA BRZ tS hero ・ Photo by Subaru

It’s no secret that Subaru is on a roll in the U.S. — a sales surge that’s all the more remarkable since it began in 2008 when the bottom fell out of the car market. Subaru has recorded 10 straight years of year-over-year sales growth, with every prospect of continuing in 2018. The key elements of this phenomenal sales performance are traditional virtues such as reliability, durability, and comfort. 

Yet another element: performance. It's not exclusive to Subaru, of course, but distinctive. The WRX STI has achieved near cult status with compact hot rod cognoscenti, and the BRZ is one of the few affordable rear-wheel-drive sports cars. A tangential marketing mission of performance cars is to cast a little glamor over the rest of a brand’s offerings — a halo, in industry-speak — and to increase the halo’s wattage, Subaru is offering limited editions of its two go-faster entries: the WRX STI RA and the BRZ tS. This is their story.

1) They're two different cars with one commonality.

The WRX and WRX STI are variations of Subaru’s compact Impreza sedan, snarky little four-doors capable of performance that’s exceptional by the standards of this diminutive class. Meanwhile, the BRZ is a rear-drive sports car. Like the WRX, it’s propelled by a Subaru flat-four engine, but without the benefit of turbocharging. And it’s the only vehicle in the Subaru lineup that lacks all-wheel drive.

Engines notwithstanding, the WRX and BRZ couldn’t be more different — but they share one important similarity: They establish and sustain Subaru’s performance bona fides. And the limited editions — STI RA and BRZ tS — are intended to amplify the image.

 Photo by Subaru

Photo by Subaru

2) The BRZ was developed jointly by Subaru and Toyota.

Introduced in 2014, the BRZ was developed jointly by a Subaru and Toyota task force, a rare alliance that began with a variety of potential projects and winnowed down to a sports car. Toyota took charge of styling, while Subaru handled powertrain and dynamic development. The result was a rear-wheel drive 2+2 sports car, a puzzling choice for a company known for all-wheel drive.

Nevertheless, the two cars — Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S (now called the Toyota 86) — played to positive reviews. Both cars use a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter Subaru flat-four engine rated for 205 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque. The engine transmits power to the rear axle via a six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic. Opting for the automatic pares five ponies from peak hp.

 Photo by Subaru

Photo by Subaru

3) The BRZ tS has been tuned for enhanced track-day performance.

The objective of the BRZ tuning exercise, according to Subaru, was to imbue the car with “pure driving delight.” That’s a romantic description of a car tuned for enhanced track day performance. Upgrades include slightly higher spring rates, firmer damping (with Sachs shocks), selective chassis stiffening including a shock tower brace, a bigger Brembo brake package and 18-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires (215/40).

Cosmetic/aero upgrades include a more aggressive front spoiler, highlights on the front fascia, deeper rocker panels, a rear diffuser and a big carbon fiber rear wing with two-position adjustability.

 Photo by Subaru

Photo by Subaru

4) The BRZ tS has sports car reflexes.

The purpose of a sports car is to eliminate as many street-vehicle compromises as possible, sharpening responses and optimizing the connection between car and driver. That’s what “pure driving delight” is all about, and that’s what this limited-edition BRZ delivers. Body motions, already limited in the standard BRZ, are further reduced in the tS. There's no hint of hesitation in abrupt maneuvers, athletic balance, quick steering that’s laser-precise, tenacious grip and race-worthy braking that’s both powerful and fade-free. The throws of the manual gearbox shifter are short and engagements precise. 

Demerits? Some reviewers have suggested the BRZ could use more power. The tS weighs a little less than the base model, but this suggestion still applies. On a race track, the BRZ's relatively modest horsepower, exacerbated by the absence of low-end grunt (the even more modest torque doesn’t peak until 6400 rpm) make the driver yearn for more thrust. The limited-edition BRZ tS carries a hefty price tag, and exclusivity notwithstanding it should be able to outrun a Mazda Miata.

 Photo by Subaru

Photo by Subaru

5) The STI is at the top of the WRX lineup.

WRX buyers can choose between the base 268-horsepower model, which is fast and agile, and the WRX STI, which is faster still and a cult car among Asian-hot-rod aficionados. Now in its fifth generation, the latest STI has more of everything — more power (305 hp, 290 pound-feet of torque) from a turbocharged 2.5-liter flat four; more braking power; more grip; limited slip differentials; firmer suspension tuning; more aerodynamic downforce; and more all-around performance.

Updates for the 2018 model year include a more aggressive front fascia; adaptive LED headlights; gray 19-inch alloy wheels with low-profile (245/35) Yokohama performance tires; heated side mirrors; an STI Sport Design color instrument cluster; and an electronically controlled center differential (as distinct from the previous mechanical system).

 Photo by Subaru

Photo by Subaru

6) The Type RA takes the STI a step further.

To the STI’s 2018 updates, the RA adds firmer suspension tuning, with Bilstein shocks; a Brembo brake package with six-piston front calipers, two-piston rear calipers and bigger cross-drilled rotors; and selective chassis stiffening. Aero upgrades include an enclosed underbody, fender vents to enhance airflow and a big carbon fiber rear wing with two-position adjustability.

The STI powertrain team invested time and money in the engine — sodium-filled valves (for heat resistance), new pistons, a new cold air intake and revised engine control — for a modest horsepower gain (from 305 to 310). The team also pared 68 pounds from the STI’s curb weight, largely by using carbon fiber roof. Weight reduction and the incremental power increase makes it a tenth of a second to 60 mph, according to Subaru, which would add up to five seconds or a tick less. At ground level, the RA edition wears low-profile (245/35) Yokohama Advan performance tires on 19-inch wheels.

 Photo by Subaru

Photo by Subaru

7) The STI is a track-day tiger.

It's impossible to fully assess the RA edition's performance edge without comparing it side-by-side against the standard STI. But it's still clear that trait that makes this car so seductive is acceleration. Throttle response is eager and right-now, torque becomes abundant well before the 4000 rpm peak and all-wheel drive gets the car off the line without wheelspin. But there's even more to the story. The steering is both quick (2.5 turns lock-to-lock) and surgically precise, tire adhesion is exceptional, braking is worthy of a sports car and it changes direction like an NFL running back. Furthermore, the beautifully bolstered Recaro seats would be at home in a race car. 

Some downsides: The six-speed manual transmission is precise, if a tad stiff (there's no automatic option), and stiff also applies to ride quality. Also, many of the RA’s go-faster goodies are available in the updated STI performance package. And three competitors offer equal or even more engine performance for less money: the Ford Focus RS, Honda Civic R and Volkswagen Golf R. But Subaru has the limited-edition factor, plus the appeal of a sedan (the competitors are all hatchbacks) that’s a tiger on a racetrack.

 Photo by Subaru

Photo by Subaru

8) tS and RA actually translate into words.

Automotive alphanumeric model designations are often arbitrarily chosen with no particular meaning. But these seemingly obscure Subaru designations actually translate to words.

STI stands for Subaru Tecnica International, the company’s in-house high-performance skunkworks. Established in 1988, STI produced three World Rally Championship winners and four Nurburgring 24-Hour race efforts. Reminiscent of the Mercedes AMG subsidiary, it’s the source of performance parts, STI tuned cars and motorsports specials. RA is for Record Attempt, commemorating Subaru’s class record lap at the Nurburgring. And tS indicates the limited-edition BRZ was tuned by STI.

 Photo by Subaru

Photo by Subaru

9) Both the tS and RA are limited editions.

Perhaps the most appealing element of any limited edition automobile is exclusivity, and the two Subie specials will have plenty of that. Total production will be 500 copies of each.

 Photo by Subaru

Photo by Subaru

10) There's a price to pay for exclusivity.

Like any limited edition, the two Subarus are offered at premium prices. MSRP for the BRZ sT: $34,355, about $4,700 more than the standard version. The RA MSRP is $49,855, a premium of some $13,000 over the standard STI. Both cars are due to reach Subaru dealers in February.

 Photo by Subaru

Photo by Subaru


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