The Subaru BRZ->ke3973 has been around since the 2013 model year and to this day, there's still little evidence that Suby->ke86 is prepared to make a more powerful version of the sports car->ke506. It's latest special edition model, the BRZ Series.Blue, follows in what has become an increasingly frustrating trend for Subaru (Toyota->ke88 and Scion->ke79, too, for that matter) enthusiasts. The aerodynamic upgrades are there, and the interior even looks real nice. But for all the upgrades the BRZ Series.Blue received, it still carries that same medicore 2.0-liter boxer that produces 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. Care to bump that up a little, Subaru?

The likely answer we'll get is "not as long as people keep buying it," but we're still holding out hope that Subaru has some serious plans for the BRZ down the road. The rumored BRZ STi is one that we're clearly holding on to, and we're not letting that go until Subaru takes the idea to pasture, kills it and brings us its lifeless body.

The rumored output for the BRZ STi is 250 horsepower, which isn't much, but still something to look forward to. The biggest thing is that we'd likely see that 151 pound-feet of torque climb to closer to the 250 pound-feet mark, giving the BRZ the ability to pull hard out of corners and from the line. But for now, we're going to have to settle for the STi-badged BRZ Series.Blue. Only 1,000 models are being made so it does have "exclusivity" attached to it.

Take that for what it's worth.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Subaru BRZ Series.Blue.

2015 Subaru BRZ Series.Blue

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Subaru BRZ Series.Blue
  • Engine/Motor: flat-4
  • Horsepower: 200
  • Torque: 151
  • Transmission: Six-Speed Manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Subaru did an impressive job differentiating the BRZ Series.Blue from the rest of its brethren. Of the 1,000 models that are set to hit dealerships, 500 of them will feature a WR Blue Pearl paint finish, while the other 500 get dressed in a Crystal White Pearl finish.

Subaru also targeted improved aerodynamics with the BRZ Series.Blue. On that end, the Japanese automaker added a bevy of STi aero components, including front, side, and side-rear under spoilers. These additions not only make the exterior look more dynamic, but they also help increase the sports car's front downforce.

Subaru also installed additional underbody panels, slightly dropping the coefficient of drag (Cd) from 0.28 to 0.27, while standard features for all 2015 BRZ models, including the larger stainless steel exhaust tips and new shark fin antenna, are also part of the BRZ Series.Blue package.

Moving to the wheels, Subaru fitted a set of black-painted 17-inch STi wheels with matching red-finish brake calipers.

Interior

The interior surprisingly comes with some nice upgrades. The true highlights are the blue trimmings throughout the cabin. Leather and Alcantara upholstery also come in generous doses and feature blue leather seat bolsters, head restraints, a blue and black leather-wrapped steering wheel, and blue stitching accents on the seats.

You can see more of this blue motif on the center-console knee pads and door trim, while the carpeted floor mats feature blue stitching and a BRZ logo. Speaking of the latter, you can also find embroidered, silver BRZ logos on the front seatbacks.

Rounding out the interior upgrades is a frameless day/night rear-view mirror and a simulated carbon-fiber center dash panel. The frameless rearview is a nice touch, but really Subaru, aren't you a little above simulated carbon fiber?

Drivetrain

This special edition BRZ doesn't feature any performance upgrades under the hood -- as usual -- so expect the same ol' 2.0-liter, boxer four-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. Subaru got one thing right, as it offers the Series.Blue model exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission that delivers power to the rear wheels. This drivetrain combo allows the BRZ Series.Blue to hit 60 mph in around 6.5 seconds to go with a top speed of 143 mph. Fortunately, Suby left the super-sluggish automatic transmission -- raises the 0-to-60 time to over 7.5 seconds -- off the option list for this special edition.

2014 Subaru BRZ Series.Blue Special Edition - Drivetrain/Specifications

Engine

2.0-liter 16-valve Boxer H-4 With Chain-Driven DOHC, Port And Direct Injection With Dual Active VVT

Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Power

200 Horsepower

Torque

151 Pound-Feet

0-60 mph

6.5 Seconds, Est.

Top Speed

143 MPH


Price

The BRZ Series.Blue has a price of $29,490 to go with a destination charge of $795, bringing the total up to $30,285. Only 1,000 units are set to be made available with the models arriving in Subaru dealerships in July.

Competition

Scion FR-S Release Series 1.0

Like the Subaru BRZ Series.Blue, Scion's own FR-S recently unveiled a special edition version at the New York Auto Show last month. The model, dubbed the Release Series, was limited to just 1,500 units and like the BRZ Series.Blue, came with a host of aerodynamic upgrades but nothing in the way of any engine modifications.

Make no mistake, the Release Series 1.0 has some useful additions like the TRD Quad Tip Exhaust System, lowering springs, aero kit with a rear spoiler and fender garnishes. But in the end, the components ring hollow if it still doesn't have any performance modifications.

The Scion FR-S Release Series 1.0 doesn't have an official price yet, but Scion did say that it's going to cost less than $30,000, not including handling and destination charges.

Conclusion

At this point, we just need to take what we can get with the Subaru BRZ. Like its Toyota and Scion counterparts, there seems to be an apprehension in producing higher-performing versions of these models.

Not surprisingly, the BRZ Series.Blue follows in that tradition. It has some good upgrades it can hang its hat on -- the two colors are pretty sharp -- but at the end of the day, customers are now looking for more juice from that 2.0-liter powerplant.

That's where the BRZ Series.Blue disappoints.