2017 Subaru BRZ Series.Yellow

"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
06/12/2016 at 18:07 • Filed to: subaru brz

Subaru brought many interesting cars to this year’s !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in Stafford Springs, CT. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , but right now I want to talk about the new BRZ Series.Yellow.

This is a prototype of the 2017 Subaru BRZ Series.Yellow. Like the previous Series.Blue, this is a trim level above the Limited, including all of its standard features and more. The yellow color with black badges and mirrors are unique to this model, as well as some interior trim. It also comes standard with the Performance Package (a BRZ Limited option), which includes red painted Brembo brakes on all four corners, upgraded Sachs dampers with unique tuning, and unique 17 X 7.5 wheels, half an inch wider than stock. The same 215/45/17 Michelin Primacy HP “Prius tires” remain standard equipment on the wider wheels.

Read on Right Foot Down or continue below

This is the first look I’ve had at the facelifted BRZ. It shares many upgrades with the “new” !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , such as the new all LED tail lights and steering wheel controls. The front is also new, but remains unique from its Scion Toyota sibling. The separate daytime running lights are gone and integrated with the parking lights. The turn signals are LEDs as well – clearly Subaru is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Though I don’t care for the 86’s new nose as much as the old one, I like the BRZ’s new face better.

The interior gets some nice updates as well. Unique to the Series.Yellow is yellow stitching all around, yellow trim on the door handles and seats, and yellow BRZ logos on the front seats. The dashboard is now black instead of silver, which will help eliminate glare (trust my experience here). A new infotainment system resides in the dashboard. It looks just like the one in !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and most likely includes !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . That’ll be an excellent upgrade over the system in my 2014 model. There’s a new steering wheel, this time incorporating controls that were intentionally omitted from previous BRZs. This wheel has even more controls than the Toyota 86.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

That’s because the gas and temperature gauges have been replaced by color LCD screen, which also spreads into the tach area slightly. This includes numerous readouts. Subaru specifically mentioned a G-force meter, stopwatch, and coolant temperature gauge. There may be others, presumably including fuel.

The “VSC Sport” button, which reduces but does not turn off stability and traction control, has been replaced with a “Track” button. Presumably the settings have been refined a bit for more seamless operation, but I’d have to drive the car to know for sure. I did use “VSC Sport” mode on the track a few times, and even the old settings did a good job of keeping me out of trouble when I briefly ran out of talent.

The BRZ will also benefit from the same drivetrain refinements as the Toyota 86. That means it produces a whopping 205hp rather than the 200 that my 2014 model came with. This puts my car at a serious disadvantage to the new version. Fortunately, one of the vendors at Wicked Big Meet had just the thing.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

This +5hp sticker bridges the horsepower gap between my BRZ and the new version. I installed it on my airbox so it remains out of sight for maximum stealth. I’m confident that my BRZ will be just as fast as the 2017 Series.Yellow – also because yellow is only the third fastest color, after World Rally Blue and red.

But no sticker can make up for the other improvements in the 2017 Subaru BRZ. The interior upgrades are most welcome, and the outside looks great. I’d just need to drive it to see if the performance enhancements make it that much better than my car.

Follow @justinhughes54 on Twitter

DISCUSSION (16)

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Justin Hughes
06/12/2016 at 18:18

Thanks for the live photos. As a lover of all things boxer and yellow paint I want this so bad. It'll be sold out by the time I'm in the market, but hopefully they won't be hoarded too bad.

JDIGGS > Justin Hughes
06/12/2016 at 18:19

Wow gotta say not at all impressed. I thought there was something neat being revealed but it’s not different than a performance pack.

SUBARU PLEASE LISTEN

- Steering wheel controls and doo dads that MIRROR a control on the dash are really awful and horrible, stop.

- PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE learn to make a door hinge that doesn’t crush my legs, having owned 8 of the fuckers it blows me away these morons can’t figure this out.

Since Subaru is there can you please ask about this and have them pick a or b multiple choice.

2017 BRZ engine is revised because 1) we find a way to cheap out on it and help conform to mpg 2) 2013-16 models have some horrible flaws that will start to show soon

Yay!

Justin Hughes > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
06/12/2016 at 18:23

They’re saying it’ll be out early 2017, so you’ve got a few months to get ready for it.

I’m just happy to see that Subaru finally, FINALLY, got the color yellow right. No more school bus or post-it note yellow.

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Justin Hughes
06/12/2016 at 18:27

Pretty good, but I like the hyper blue better

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Justin Hughes
06/12/2016 at 18:42

You’re right, the color looks great. It’s a lot better than the old early 2000's post-it WRX.

I’m seriously thinking about a BRZ, but right now I’m carrying a two notes on an Outback and Forester and need two family cars. I should have the Outback paid off by the end of 2017, but I’m sure my wife would prefer we pay off both before I run out and buy a toy. If my local dealer has one of these while one of the cars is in for service after being paid off it will be really hard tho.

chaozbandit > Justin Hughes
06/12/2016 at 19:07

When they released the series.blue to the US, it was renamed Aozora Edition for your neighbours up North. Who knows what crazy name Subaru Canada is scheming to unleash on us...

Nick Has an Exocet > Justin Hughes
06/12/2016 at 19:20

That LCD screen in the gauge cluster is freaking weird. Artistically broken.

Boxer_4 > Justin Hughes
06/12/2016 at 19:58

This is Sunrise Yellow, right?

Dusty Ventures > Justin Hughes
06/12/2016 at 20:04

I almost went to WBM this year. On a scale of “Opposaurus grilling” to “cool down lap at A Stadium Super Trucks race” how thick was the vape smoke?

Justin Hughes > chaozbandit
06/12/2016 at 21:25

Screaming Yellow Zonker Edition.

Justin Hughes > Boxer_4
06/12/2016 at 21:26

I'm not sure what the official name is.

Justin Hughes > Dusty Ventures
06/12/2016 at 21:28

I’d say it was a “occasional burnout in the middle of a car show that isn’t dominated by AWD cars” level of vape smoke. Occasional, but heavy when it was there.

chaozbandit > Justin Hughes
06/12/2016 at 21:31

I like it.

Boxer_4 > Justin Hughes
06/12/2016 at 22:38

You mean you didn’t check the color code on the door tag? /jk

There's a reason I need to be watched at shows involving new Subarus...

Justin Hughes > Boxer_4
06/13/2016 at 09:20

Ha! Nice! No, the car was locked. Otherwise I would’ve tried those swanky new black and yellow seats.

Boxer_4 > Justin Hughes
06/13/2016 at 13:00

Darn, I hate when they do that. It’s like they’re trying to keep us out or something...