Fresh off the 2022 Subaru BRZ being unveiled to the world, an intriguing prototype has been spied testing in Japan.
It is understood that these photos were snapped at a recent filming day for Subaru’s BRZ-based Super GT car at a racetrack. Also present at the filming day was a prototype of the new BRZ, bathed in camouflage and looking a little different than the car unveiled to the world last month.
Read More: 2022 Subaru BRZ Debuts With New 228 HP N/A Boxer, Stiffer Chassis And More Tech
Most notably, this BRZ prototype has a revised front bumper that includes a subtle splitter complete with winglets on either side, adding some aggression to the sports car. The car also includes some additional winglets on the side skirts and the rear bumper.
めっちゃ滑らせながら走らせてる
リアのスタビリティ高そうなのと、アドバンとか見てると普通に今のより速い pic.twitter.com/8WqpzmbEKg— たくさふ (@taku_saf1) December 16, 2020
There are a few possibilities that would explain why Subaru is testing the BRZ with these new components. The first possibility is that Subaru will sell these aero parts as optional accessories for the standard BRZ model, giving customers something to make their cars look that much sportier. Alternatively, it is possible that Subaru is working on a tS variant of the car, as it did with the previous-generation BRZ. Indeed, the black winglets of this prototype are very similar to those featured on the old BRZ tS.
The final possibility is that we are looking at an early prototype of a full-blown BRZ STI model but unfortunately, we think that is very unlikely.
In standard form, the 2022 BRZ features a naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter flat-four engine that revs to 7,000 rpm and delivers 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. A potential tS model would likely benefit from suspension and braking upgrades while an STI variant would inevitably go down the forced induction route.
市販車は速攻で終わっちゃって撮れずこれしかないっすw pic.twitter.com/nq8y0JbmN0
— たくさふ (@taku_saf1) December 16, 2020