Any Subaru-derived special-edition BRZ is bound to raise eyebrows. The first visions generated by the cerebral cortex are of spinning turbo wheels and an ensuing four-wheeled boost party… before your mind wanders hold your horses.

Subaru is well known for churning out special editions, further the tS moniker is familiar as many such models have hit the roads, including a Forester version a week or so ago. The problem is the roads these special models hit are only in Japan. The good news, this tS is heading Stateside. The bad news, those visions of a turbocharged BRZ will have to remain in your head.

The tS does have more than exclusivity and badging going for it. Power is addressed with a cat-back exhaust system and a high-flow intake. Suspension updates include sport coils, a strut brace, steering improvements, and highly acclaimed Brembo brakes. A big rear wing and a more subtle front lip spoiler are also part of the mix. But alas no boost.

The timing of all this is still in the air as Subaru has not announced a release date. BRZ sales have plateaued to be kind and the line needs a shot of adrenalin. Is this enough? We aren’t sure. Power has been an issue since Day One and we’ve always seen boost being the natural progression, especially when you factor in STI’s involvement.

The video follows Automobile senior editor Chris Nelson as he puts the spurs to a Subaru BRZ tS Tuned by STI at Japan’s Suzuka Circuit. Let’s see what he has to say on the matter.