tS a test case

Standalone Subaru Tecnica International (STI) models, such as the new powered-up WRX STI S207 and BRZ tS could become part of Subaru Australia’s line-up in years to come, if its experiment with the Forester tS is a success.

That’s the thinking of Subaru Australia boss, Nick Senior.

The Forester tS is one of three bespoke models currently listed by Subaru’s performance offshoot. In a first for the Aussie marketplace, 300 of the STI-modified medium SUVs will come Down Under in 2016. The first examples arrive in March.

Unlike previous warmed-over Forester models, the tS features significant STI input, with STI responsible for two-thirds of the modifications, completed after the car leaves Subaru’s production line. Australia will take half of STI’s total Forester tS production.

Senior told motoring.com.au a successful campaign for the tS could open the door to future STI specialist models.

“tS [Forester] would give STI and us the confidence to look at other [specialist] cars,” Senior stated.

Senior labelled the brand-new WRX STI-based S207, set to debut in Tokyo tomorrow, as “not at this time” in terms of Australian production.

“tS is a bit of a test case. If we can make it work then there could be opportunities to look at S207s and the like,” he said.

Meantime, strong demand for tS models could also see the sold-out BRZ tS put back into production for Australian consumption, STI’s head of sales Kengo Hori told motoring.com.au.

“The highest possibility [for production] is BRZ tS. But we are working on Forester – so far there is no activity on BRZ tS [for Australia],” he said.