Following in the suit of the 2015 Toyota GT 86 and Subaru BRZ, Scion has applied the same line of updates to its North American FR-S coupe.

Visible changes on the outside include the aerodynamic shark-fin antenna instead of a pole antenna and larger exhaust tips that sit more flush with the rear bumper, while Scion also replaced the Argento hue with a new silver color named Steel, and Whiteout with the Halo pearl shade priced at $395.

On the inside, the 2015MY FR-S gets auto on/off headlights as standard, along with a new carbon fiber look for the dashboard panel and a different key design.

What you can't see are the changes under the body via a more rigid front suspension and re-tuning of the rear shock absorbers, which Scion says, offer better handling and stability, with the improved damping resulting in "less body roll and a more communicative driving experience".

You'll find the 2015 FR-S in Scion dealerships this June with the 6sp manual gearbox model priced at $24,900, and the six-speed automatic, from $26,000, excluding a deliver fee of $755.

Doing what the Japanese won't

Cosworth has released a new teaser video for their upcoming FA-20 performance packages.

Details are limited but Piston Heads points out the FA-20 name refers to the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the Subaru BRZ.

Little else is known about the packages but the teaser video suggests we can expect a sports exhaust system and possibly a supercharger or turbocharger. The car has also been equipped with blue body stripes, a massive rear wing and plenty of Cosworth badging.

While nothing is official, the teaser video shows a Toyota GT 86 so it's likely the upgrades will also work on the other Toyotaru twins.

The performance packages are "coming soon," so expect to learn more details shortly.

Straight off the bat, let us tell you that this new blue pill…err…we mean edition with STI parts offered by Subaru USA doesn't bring any horsepower changes to the lightly updated 2015 BRZ, only some cosmetic and aerodynamic improvements.

Keeping the same 200-horsepower 2.0-liter flat four as the regular models, the 2015 BRZ Series.Blue gets a functional aerodynamic kit from STI containing black front, side, and side-rear under spoilers, that are said to contribute to additional front downforce, while new underbody panels reduce the car's coefficient of drag (Cd) from 0.28 to 0.27.

A new set of black-painted STI 17-inch wheels behind which are new red-finish brake calipers round out the look – the larger stainless steel exhaust tips and a shark fin antenna are standard on all 2015 BRZs.

Inside, the Series.Blue gets a two-tone blue and black leather and Alcantara seats with blue stitching accents that also appear on the door panels, black leather-wrapped steering wheel, as well as the shift lever boot and leather-wrapped parking brake lever. There's also a simulated carbon fiber center dash and a red-illuminated engine start / stop button with an STI logo.

The new BRZ Series.Blue will be offered in 500 units finished in WR Blue Pearl and 500 in Crystal White Pearl, with sales to start in July. Pricing for the special edition is set at $29,490 with a destination charge of $795, while the regular 2015MY begins at $25,695 (+$795).

May 29, 2014

SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING ON 2015 BRZ® AND SPECIAL EDITION BRZ SERIES.BLUE

BRZ Series.Blue launches as special edition with 1,000 units for US market
Improved suspension refinement added to full BRZ lineup
Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. today announced pricing for the 2015 BRZ. Starting at $25,695, the BRZ lineup focuses on the fundamentals of great sports car design: low vehicle weight, an ultra-low center of gravity and precision steering. Powered by a 200-horsepower 2.0-liter BOXER engine, the Subaru BRZ marked a return to the fundamentals of sports car design, emphasizing low vehicle weight, an ultra-low center of gravity and precision steering.

New for 2015 is the introduction of the BRZ Series.Blue limited to 1,000 cars for the continental United States. An exclusive combination of STI®-branded functional aerodynamic body design, black-painted STI-branded 17-inch wheels and unique interior trim creates a striking look for the BRZ Series.Blue, which arrives in Subaru dealerships in July. Subaru will offer 500 painted WR Blue Pearl and 500 in Crystal White Pearl exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission.

The BRZ Series.Blue boosts the car’s aerodynamic performance with black STI-branded front, side, and side-rear under spoilers, which contribute to additional front downforce, and underbody panels that, while not seen, reduce the coefficient of drag (Cd) from 0.28 to 0.27.

The Series.Blue also brings impressive appearance upgrades that enhance its performance image. Emphasizing the BRZ’s pure sports car nature, red-finish brake calipers can be seen behind the spokes of the STI- branded black alloy wheels. The BRZ Series.Blue builds on the BRZ Limited model and features exclusive trim and special details throughout. Its leather and Alcantara upholstery includes blue leather seat bolsters and head restraints.

Blue stitching accents the seats and the blue and black leather-wrapped steering wheel, as well as the shift lever boot and leather-wrapped parking brake handle. The blue motif carries to the center console kneepads and door trim, accented by an embroidered silver BRZ logo on the front seatbacks. Carpeted floor mats pick up the BRZ logo and blue stitching, as well. The 2015 BRZ Blue.Series 6MT starts at $29,490.

Handling has been improved for 2015 with revised suspension dampers for smoother motion and absorption to help achieve optimum contact to uneven roads for a more enjoyable driving experience. Also contributing to the BRZ’s handling are 4-wheel independent suspension and 17” summer tires with 15-spoke dark gray-finished aluminum-alloy wheels.

For the 2015 model year, all BRZ trims receive larger stainless tailpipe tips, simulated carbon-fiber center dash panel, and roof-mounted and body color shark fin antenna. The BRZ Premium 6MT has a starting price of $25,695. This is only a $100 increase compared to the 2014 model year.

The 2015 BRZ Limited 6MT starts at $27,695. The only factory option for the BRZ Limited model is the 6-speed automatic transmission priced at $28,795. Both are also a $100 increase compared to the prior model year.

Subaru’s signature exterior color, WR Blue Pearl is updated while popular colors Ice Silver Metallic and Crystal White Pearl have been added to the BRZ line.

Available in Premium or Limited trim levels, BRZ models all boast performance features, such as the sport-tuned suspension with front strut brace and TORSEN limited-slip differential.

The Subaru BRZ Limited offers additional comfort and amenities. The BRZ Limited model adds a body-color trunk spoiler, standard fog light and Alcantara trimmed interior and Keyless Access. Inside, the seats are upholstered with Alcantara inserts and leather bolsters. Aha® infotainment smartphone integration included with the standard navigation system.

The BRZ Limited substitutes a dual-zone automatic climate control for the Premium model’s manual HVAC system, and its standard All-Weather Package includes dual-mode heated front seats and heated side mirrors. A full security system augments the engine immobilizer that is standard in the Premium model. In the Limited, the dual visor vanity mirrors are illuminated, and front door courtesy lights illuminate when the doors are opened.

2015 BRZ models will begin arriving in dealerships this Summer.

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Cosworth announces shift in performance aftermarket strategy with launch of unique Power Packages

· Cosworth set to revolutionize its approach to aftermarket products by focusing on validated Power Packages suitable for warranty by vehicle manufacturers
· Company deliberately moves on from individual component supply towards fully validated system packages using motorsport experience
· Cosworth unveils first of its new range of Power Packages - the FA20 engine platform for Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT86

Cosworth has today announced a notable step change in its supply of cutting edge performance aftermarket products with the launch of a series of Power Packages for the Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT86.

In stark contrast to its previous aftermarket strategy, Cosworth has deliberately shifted its focus from individual components to the engineering and manufacture of complete packages. This approach enables Cosworth to guarantee reliability while supporting its business objective of becoming an approved upgrade partner for global car manufacturers.

Cosworth is uniquely positioned to offer fully validated packages as a result of its unrivalled heritage at the highest level of motorsport. The company has spent decades building up successful partnerships with car manufacturers so this shift in aftermarket products represents a natural, yet significant step.

The first result of this approach is a brand new range of Power Package options for the FA20 engine platform that drives the Toyota GT-86, Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S. Cosworth Power Packages offer enthusiasts and motorsport professionals the ease and reliability of guaranteed power upgrades that only Cosworth's legendary engineering team can deliver.

Developed using the same methods employed in Formula One and sports car racing, Cosworth has engineered cost-effective and scalable performance solutions that can take the engine's power output from the standard 197bhp to a fully validated 325bhp and eventually on to a 380hp race track configuration. Each successive upgrade Stage builds upon and utilizes components in the previous Stage making this approach unique in the Aftermarket. This staged approach allows customers an affordable path to upgrade their vehicles.

Immediately available is the Stage 1 Power Package.

Delivered as part of complete, integrated performance solution, the Stage 1 Power Package offers a power increase of up to 230bhp, 11.6% on stock.

Stage 1 features:

· A Cosworth premium quality, free flow sports exhaust manufactured in partnership with Nameless Performance, specialists in the exhaust sector.

· A "Power by Cosworth" calibration kit and calibration file designed by Cosworth using the latest technology to maximise the peak performance of the stage components working together.

· An exclusive Cosworth vehicle badge and a uniquely numbered Cosworth authentication plaque.

· A Cosworth performance filtration solution and low temperature thermostat working together with the exhaust and calibration to deliver the predictable and consistent performance customers expect from Cosworth.

In accordance with Cosworth's new approach to the performance aftermarket the Power Packages for the FA20 engine platform provide a set of components that have been designed and engineered by Cosworth to work together as a solution, rather than a collection of individual parts, in order to maximise peak performance and reliability. Designed and manufactured to the highest quality, the first time fit of each individual component is assured, while the scalable system approach means that additional packages can be added easily, integrating each system with the next.

Cosworth Power Packages, uniquely deliver what the customer has long been waiting for:

More power, consistently and reliably delivered, created by a world leading engineering company with over 50 years' experience at all levels of motorsport.

As an example of this modular approach, the first option of the Stage 1 Power Package includes a Cosworth free flow sports exhaust that features two 4" diagonally cut, branded, double wall tips and a stylish "Y" shaped back muffler/silencer. In combination with the other components, this high quality, 304 stainless steel exhaust, with a mirror polished finish, increases power output to 220bhp. By adding the optional combined overpipe front pipe, with its unique spherical resonator, the new calibration power output is raised further to 225bhp. The black, thermally coated 4-2-1 manifold header option has equal length piping and CNC machined exhaust flanges, which helps to significantly reduce under hood/bonnet temperatures, boosting output with calibration to 230bhp while bringing a 22% weight reduction on the standard manifold.

Hal Reisiger, Cosworth Group Chief Executive, commented:

"Cosworth has significantly altered its approach to performance aftermarket. We are now able to supply completely validated solutions – as an entire system – to guarantee reliability and performance. This is a huge step change and one that will enable Cosworth to become the performance upgrade partner of choice for car manufacturers, as well as tuning professionals and enthusiasts around the world.

As the first step in this new strategic approach, we are excited to unveil Cosworth Power Packages for the FA20 Platform, FR-S, BRZ and GT86 cars. We are delivering a series of power upgrade solutions that will allow drivers to unlock the real performance potential of their vehicles.

Cosworth are absolutely unique in what we offer to the performance aftermarket – we are able to transfer the knowledge we have gained from over fifty years of motorsport engineering excellence, and our experience in Formula One, to create our Power Packages, so that our customers can benefit. That is why Cosworth continues to set the standard for aftermarket products."