It seems the wait for Subaru’s facelifted 2017 BRZ ended before it even began, thanks to these ‘insider’ photos that originally appeared on Facebook before being hastily removed.

Fortunately for us, the guys over at ft86club were able to share them on the forum, revealing the changes being planned for the sister model to the 2017 Toyota GT 86 that that replaces the 2016 Scion FR-S in North America.

One thing to keep in mind is that the cars captured here could be pre-production versions of the 2017 BRZ and as such, may not incorporate all the upgrades we’ll see on the showroom models.

That said, there’s a black and white car depicted in the images, with the former wearing the same updated LED rear light fixtures, and from what we can tell, alloy wheel designs too, as the GT 86, but with what looks like the current, 2016 BRZ’s rear bumper.

Up front, there’s a re-profiled bumper with different air intakes and new headlamp fixtures that retain the current BRZ’s hook-shaped pattern adding LED turning signals, with the styling of both being loosely reminiscent of Subaru’s BRZ STI Performance Concept.

Inside, there’s an updated instrument panel with the tachometer now starting from a 90-degree angle and incorporating a single, instead of a split digital display, while the third gauge on the right that previously housed analog fuel and temperature readings getting a digital info screen.

The steering wheel is also new ditching the perforated leather section on the rim and gaining buttons for the infotainment system, new satin aluminum trim and enlarged paddle shifters for the automatic model. Aside from the new air-conditioning system knobs, there don’t seem to be any changes to the center console.

While Subaru did not include the 2017 BRZ in its list of New York Auto Show debuts, limiting the announcement to the all-new Impreza sedan and hatch, it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to see it in the Big Apple, unless they don’t won’t to steal Toyota’s thunder with their rebadged GT 86, in which case, it will probably be revealed later in the year.

H/T to Raphael from Autofilou!

2017 Subaru BRZ

2016 Subaru BRZ

2017 Toyota GT 86