Reporting on news based off of trademark filings can be a little iffy. Companies routinely file for, and renew, trademarks even if they have no intention of ever using them.
Sometimes companies even trademark a name just to keep another company from using it.
With that in mind, we bring you news of a possible new “performance” variant of the Subaru BRZ, potentially called the tS.
The Scion-esque name has been filed by Subaru with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which could be a foreshadow of things to come.
The BRZ and Scion FR-S were both introduced in 2011 to rave reviews and accolades. The motoring press praised the twins, codeveloped by Subaru and Toyota, as the answer to typical rear-wheel-drive muscle. These cars were nimble and quick. These cars were made for drifting. These cars were sent straight from the old-school sports car gods to appease a clamoring public.
But then the praise faded. The BRZ started to draw criticism for being underpowered and slow. Its 200 hp was suddenly deemed inadequate.
So what did Subaru do? You might expect it to announce a turbocharger or other engine enhancement for the BRZ in order to bring up power levels.
Nope.
Subie instead basically told us that the car’s power is more than suitable and created an STI-tuned sT version for Japan, which features a stiffer suspension system with additional bracing and beefier half-shafts. The stability-control system has been revised to give drivers more time to take advantage of the larger Brembos.
Now that Subaru has registered “sT” with the U.S. Trademark office, it’s a pretty safe bet that a version of Japan’s STI sT will come to our shores. It may not be the turbo performance model some have hoped for, but it should at least give BRZ drivers reason to consider an upgrade.
Then again, if we look toward the BRZ STI Performance Concept unveiled in New York last year, there might be some turbo hope. That car was teased with a 300-hp track-tuned turbocharged inline 4-cylinder, but there’s been no indication that the motor will make it into production.
If you’re a BRZ fan, get used to your 200 hp, because it doesn’t appear to be improving any time soon.
Would you want a “performance” Subaru BRZ with only 200 horsepower?
-tgriffith
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