Subaru BRZ gets STI treatment
Not one but two ranges of performance parts will be offered to BRZ owners, including racetrack partsThe Subaru BRZ may be sold out until well into 2013, but Subaru Australia is forging ahead with an aftermarket performance parts program that will help set it apart from its twin, the Toyota 86.
Nick Senior, managing director of Subaru Australia, told motoring.com.au that while a high performance STI version of the BRZ is not on the cards, a range of STI parts will be offered from August 2012.
"We are developing a range [of STI parts] and we'll have them soon, mainly appearance parts, not so much performance parts."
Mr Senior also confirmed that the company is teaming up with an external supplier to offer racetrack-only parts for those who wish to take their Subaru BRZ racing.
"We're also looking at motorsport options, which are not so much performance but things to make it easier to go on track," said Mr Senior, who wouldn't elaborate on what these things were.
Asked if these motorsport parts would be only for the track, and not legal for the road, Mr Senior answered "Yes".
"To support this [motorsport push] we have partnered with an external supplier who can simplify the transition from road to track."
Senior said the parts will be coming in August, and roll cages, fire extinguishers and safety harnesses are likely additions.
The STI parts however are likely to be things like rear spoilers, new front and rear aprons, side skirts, fuel caps and alloy wheels.
Subaru Australia is doing everything it can to develop a strong and loyal BRZ customer base, but it can only secure a fraction of the 86s that Toyota can get.
Despite Subaru selling its entire 2012 stock in three hours via online only sales, roughly 150 cars, Toyota sold 414 of its sister car, the 86, in just one month (June 2012).
"We go up against a respected competitor who has 20 per cent of this market and a dealer network nearly three times our size and a sales and marketing budget to dream of.
"We are second to market and certainly won't be getting the number of vehcles that Toyota has been allocated," stated Mr Senior.
Explaining the decision to sell the BRZ exclusively online and offer a range of STI and racetrack parts, Senior says: "We needed to zig, when everyone else zagged."
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