While the Subaru BRZ – and its Toyota 86 platform twin – are no stranger to motorsports, customers might be wishing for something that’s a little more race-ready from the factory. For this discerning clientele, Subaru has released the BRZ Cup Car Basic in Japan.
The more basic version of the Subaru BRZ is ready for the track
As the name implies, this is a stripped-down version of the 2+2 fastback coupe, meant for competing in the Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ one-make race series which kicks off at the Fuji Speedway this July. The car swaps its usual alloys for a set of steel wheels, but otherwise the exterior looks identical to the standard release.
Alterations are more evident inside the cabin, where occupants will be greeted by a six-point roll cage complete with side bars. The driver’s seat comes with a provision for installing a six-point regulation safety harness. Floor mats on the BRZ Cup Car Basic are redesigned to have cutouts that enable them to fit around the included roll cage. However, the more rigid safety hardware surrounding the driver means that the side and curtain airbags have been ditched.
There's a six-point roll cage installed in the cabin
Mechanically, there are very few changes made to the car compared to the standard model. It still runs on a 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated boxer engine benefitting from direct injection technology, rated at 231 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque.
An air-cooled engine oil cooler has been added as part of special equipment supplied by Subaru Tecnica International Co., Ltd. (STI), the carmaker’s motorsports division. Power is still routed to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission, with the rear differential sporting a revised cover featuring additional cooling fins.
Special floor mats are included to accommodate the added hardware
The car’s rather spartan appearance shouldn’t deter potential buyers, since it serves as a canvas for them to make their own modifications for the track. Pricing for the Subaru BRZ Cup Car Basic is at 3,338,500 yen (almost Php 1.48 million), while its Toyota GR86 Cup Car Basic counterpart carries a price tag of 3,334,000 yen (Php 1.478 million).
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