Subaru has been relatively quiet this year, but it’s just announced two new special editions for the U.S. market, and while they’re still not the STI models fans hanker after, they’ve got a sprinkling of STI flavor. Say hello to the 2027 Subaru WRX GD25 and the 2027 Subaru BRZ ZC15, limited-run models that pay tribute to their ancestors’ first arrivals on American shores. Each comes in a heritage-inspired color scheme, and each gets a few extra touches beyond the regular WRX tS and BRZ tS, along with very nerdy names. Let’s take a closer look.
2027 WRX GD25 Celebrates America’s Subaru Love Affair
Both special editions’ names are references to the chassis codes of the predecessors that introduced the models to American buyers. The 2027 WRX GD25 celebrates 25 years since the first WRX to arrive on U.S. shores, the 2002 GD chassis, and the special edition comes exclusively in World Rally Blue with gold-painted 19-inch alloy wheels. This color scheme is usually an STI thing, and while this WRX certainly isn’t hardcore enough to justify the performance badge, it’s got beefier Brembo brakes with gold calipers, Bridgestone Potenza S007 high-performance rubber, and a flexible strut tower bar under the hood, improving rigidity. Stiffer springs and updated damper settings will also bolster handling. Most notably, the GD25 also gets the same Subaru Tecnica International dry carbon fiber swan-neck rear wing seen on the WRX ARA25L rally car helmed by Travis Pastrana.
Inside, Recaro seats with black Ultrasuede inserts are complemented by red contrast stitching and an STI knob atop the short shifter, but the 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine feeding all four wheels still makes 271 horsepower, which is the same as a regular WRX. Just 350 units will be produced, with deliveries expected to begin in the summer of 2027, but pricing and further technical details are being withheld for the time being. Presumably, the limited edition will edge towards $50,000, since a regular 2026 WRX tS starts at just under $45k.
2027 Subaru BRZ ZC15 Is Milder But Still Special
The 2027 Subaru BRZ ZC15, as was the case with the above-mentioned WRX, tips its hat to the first-generation BRZ that arrived a decade and a half ago on a chassis codenamed ZC. A lot has changed since that car appeared here in 2012, including a larger, 2.4-liter boxer engine making 228 hp, but the throwback special edition wears its slightly retro look well, sporting an exclusive shade called Ceramic White. The wheels are painted a unique bronze color, which is repeated in decals on each door, and the scheme references the 2020 BRZ tS. Other upgrades include a subtle spoiler atop the trunk in black, a flexible V-bar in the engine bay, and an interior unique to the special edition, with black leather and Bordeaux red inserts, a ZC15 anniversary plaque, and an aluminum STI short shifter with a leather boot. This will be slightly rarer than the WRX, with just 300 being produced. Again, pricing is unknown, but a regular BRZ tS starts at a little over $38,000, so the ZC15 will probably breach the $40k mark, with availability from sometime in early 2027. Hopefully, the long-awaited return of STI won’t be far behind.
from Autoblog News https://ift.tt/sUmzYyE
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