3 Reasons Why You Will Never See a Turbo Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86

There’s three simple reasons why Subaru and Toyota will never produce a turbo BRZ/86 sports coupe.

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The 2017 Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86’s 2.0-liter engine remains naturally aspirated. There’s no turbo model for 2017 and there never will be. Even though performance enthusiasts would like one, Subaru and Toyota will never produce a turbocharged BRZ/86 sports coupe. There’s three simple reasons why.

Subaru of America's Car Line Planning Manager, Todd Hill, talked with CarBuzz recently and cleared up any idea of a turbo BRZ model. Hill told the auto website that putting a turbo into the BRZ would change the car way too much. There’s three reasons why Subaru won’t ever do it. It will add weight and price to the rear-drive sports coupe. Hill says, "We wanted to keep it affordable. It’s priced for enthusiasts.”

Subaru BRZ turbo will change the dynamics

Todd Hill went on to say, “A turbo BRZ will become a different car altogether.” Adding a turbo to the BRZ "will add weight and price.” Another reason Hill gives is that the turbo won’t fit under the hood easily of the BRZ, and “packaging it in there would be a pretty big undertaking” says Hill. The BRZ/86 is perfectly balanced with the boxer engine sitting low in the chassis, and a turbo could change it.

It’s all about the boxer design

Subaru’s 2.0-liter FA engine is perfectly compact allowing it to be placed lower and closer to the firewall. To gain a low center of gravity, the rear-drive layout enables the engine to be mounted as low as possible. This placement allows for low polar movement and near-perfect balance.

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Subaru never intended the BRZ two-door coupe to be a top performer on the strip. They wanted it to be a great driver’s car with fun-to-drive dynamics in the corners. Hill says, “The BRZ was never intended to be a straight-line car," like U.S. muscle cars.

BRZ/86 gets added horsepower for 2017

Even though the BRZ won’t get a turbo, the Japanese automaker did bump up the horsepower for 2017. The 2.0-liter naturally aspirated boxer received several internal updates for friction reduction including new valves, camshaft and cylinder heads. Accompanied with a new aluminum intake manifold and redesigned exhaust manifold for increased air flow, the engine output in models with the 6-speed manual transmission is increased to 205hp and 156 lb-ft of torque.

A new performance package

Subaru also offers the new Performance Package ($1195) for the 2017 BRZ. It’s available on the Limited model with the 6-speed gearbox and includes Brembo calipers and larger rotors on both front and rear brakes for better stopping power. The package also includes SACHS Performance shock absorbers on all four corners for improved ride and corning stability. Also included in the package are special 17-in x 7.5-in black aluminum alloy wheels. More on Page 2.

The 2017 Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 won’t be getting a turbocharger. What it does get is a few upgrades to improve performance. BRZ also gets the new Performance Package which isn’t offered on Toyota’s 86 coupe. The BRZ /86 won’t be getting a turbo because of price, weight and balance.