I am in certain transit-oriented circles online. These are places where debates over streetcar vs. BRT are common, and I am considered “car-pilled” for my automotive enthusiasm. I could not explain to anyone there why the $3,300 option for a winged Subaru BRZ makes any sense. They would think my brain had broken (they may already think that). Perhaps you will understand?
The car I’m talking about is the Subaru BRZ Type RA, or “record attempt.” This is a 300-unit, limited edition series only for sale in Japan. It’s inspired by the Super Taikyu Series, which is a pro-am deal sort of like IMSA’s Michelin Pilot Challenge.
It’s very much like the Subaru BRZ that Thomas just drove, but with a few specific upgrades.
Unlike most Pleiades-badged Subaru special editions, this one gets an actual engine upgrade to make for a “Balanced Boxer” as the translated press release explains (like Joe Louis?):
Weight tolerance reduced by more than 50% compared to mass production Pistons and connecting rods. By incorporating special parts such as a crankshaft and flywheel with reduced rotational balance tolerances, the engine’s rotation precision has been refined, resulting in a precise and smooth feeling like that of a race car .
Will that result in more power? Who knows. Also onboard are some key suspension upgrades, including new ZF front and rear dampers, a bunch of STI parts, and forged aluminum wheels. Pretty standard stuff, really.
Ok, here’s the fun part. There are two versions of this for sale. If you’re in Japan, you can enter a lottery for one of 200 Type RAs without the spoiler for 4,972,000 yen, or about $32,144. If you’re feeling yourself, you can go into the lottery for one of just 100 Type RAs “with Rear Spoiler” as the company calls it. This version is $35,415, or $3,301 more expensive.
What do you get for that money? As best I can tell, you get the STI Dry Carbon Rear Spoiler and… that’s it. I suppose you get the warm feeling inside when you see a spoiler-less Type RA and realize that you’re the only one with the spoiler. I love big spoilers, so I get it, aesthetically. I once owned a Merkur XR4Ti, and part of the appeal was the big wing.
You get it, right?
If you live in Japan and this is something you need, you can special order it here.
Top photo: Subaru
The post Subaru Wants $3,300 For A Factory Spoiler, But I Am Broken Inside So I Get It appeared first on The Autopian.
