Master of the Mediterranean: 2024 Subaru BRZ ts Tackles Targa Florio’s Temperament

The pits along the route of Italy’s Targa Florio road race used to come accompanied by a severe warning label! The mayor himself would claim that when the race took place, children, pets, and anything else that moves should be far away from the action. In its early days, the spectacle possessed a very lawless personality. The 2024 Subaru BRZ ts Tackles Targa Florio’s Temperament excitedly while each lap boasts more than 2000 turns!

2024 Subaru BRZ ts Tackles Targa Florio’s Temperament

The city’s ruler had also even claimed that the misfortune of sliding off a mountain is “one’s own fault”! The Car and Driver team had eagerly gotten their hands on the 2023 Subaru BRZ ts last week and stepped out on a thrilling mission to test its capability. Employing the BRZ’s 228 horsepower was more than sufficient for the damp Sicilian backroads the crew encountered.

The ts version eagerly hits the pavement with updated brakes, manning slow-down duty courtesy of four-piston Brembo calipers up front. The bump-absorbing STI-tuned dampers include variable valving to render the vehicle among the surest-footed in the segment. The rear dampers have single-stage valving, which tones things down a bit regarding the “pole-vaulter’s” characteristic. 

Swift & Stunning: The BRZ’s Performance Through the Bends:

This experienced drive-testing crew set out in a model sporting a dark-gray metallic finish on 18-inch wheels. These are wrapped in 215/40 R 18 Michelin Pilot Sport Summer tires to properly take on the track. The seats inside wear a unique blue stripe, and the red starter button is graced with the STI logo.

Subaru’s Eye-SIght driver assist technology is watching intently to warn you if you unintentionally stray from your lane. The soggy weather the team endured reminded them why they loved the BRZ so much! They were able to careen through second-gear corners while executing tail slides and inching towards a 7,000 rpm horsepower peak.  

The Riveting History Behind the Targa Florio Race:

A young Enzo Ferarri was one of the famed drivers to take on the Targa Florio, nailing down a second-place finish in 1920. The legendary challenge takes place on public roads in Sicily and poses the intense challenge of the Madonie Mountain Range. There’s also a riveting final straightaway just as the range levels off and nears the ocean.

Oliver Genderbien, Nino Vaccarella, and Umberto Maggioli are three of the drivers who have each claimed three wins here. Porsche remains at the top of the list for the manufacturer with the most wins, leading the board at 11. The race has gained notoriety for the narrow roads that see drivers roaring through villages. This contest offered up some of the most enthusiastic fans ever, who cheered wildly from start to finish. 

BRZ Bliss: Pure, Unfiltered, and Gimmick-Free:

The amount of technology in cars today is mind-blowing! The Slash Gear crew was very impressed with the fact that the BRZ provides a refreshing “cleanse for the palate” regarding overwhelming options. Adjustable settings, drive modes, and humorously named “cheat codes” are not in the BRZ’s repertoire.

Because of this refreshing simplicity, the BRZ’s price tag is quite attractive! The Limited trim is where things get a bit more upscale, with extras such as additional safety features and heated mirrors. The BRZ was developed as the result of a joint venture between Subaru and Toyota. Its first generation was originally sold as the Scion FR-S. 

The Art and Science of the BRZ’s Mechanical Mastery

The BRZ uses the same 2.4-liter flat-4 engine that’s available in the Outback and Legacy. It comes minus the turbocharged extras, and its output is ideal for a coupe weighing just around 2,800 lbs. The engine is expertly tweaked to deliver peak torque at 3,700 rpm. This makes for accessible low-end grunt along with less frequent downshifting. 

Diehard enthusiasts are going to love the six-speed manual option! Since the car is already one of the most driver-focused in existence, it fits right in with its persona. Its clutch has a very light characteristic, with the shifter also providing a very short throw. The BRZ possesses just enough body roll to offer up a tremendous sensation of speed. 

The Final Verdict on the Subaru BRZ’s Gear-Driven Potency:

Some car experts could claim that everything about the BRZ is very predictable. As you move up to exhilarating models from BMW and Porsche, there are amazing advancements in suspension and precision. BMW offers higher horsepower numbers in their base trim in 14 out of 15 models. The BRZ is appealing due to its being excellently priced for raw “point and shoot” fun. 

What do you think of the Subaru BRZ ts? Is it enough high-octane action for a pavement-pounding purist, or are 4 cylinders never adequate for a fully-spirited two-lane adventure? If anything, it is a great means of learning the fundamentals of car control. Tell us your thoughts in the comments below, or check out another article about Subaru’s Crosstrek.