Since 2013, Subaru has been offering a track-ready BRZ model in Japan. The initial BRZ RA hit the market sporting steel wheels and a roll cage. Then, in 2022, the BRZ Cup Car Basic made its debut, based on the second-generation model. Fast forward to 2024, and this enthusiast-focused sports coupe receives some updates while retaining its attractively affordable price point.
The BRZ Cup Car Basic still comes equipped with 16-inch steel wheels wrapped in 205/55 R16 tires, recognizing that most drivers will likely opt for tire upgrades anyway. Notable changes for 2024 include modifications to the shape of the six-point roll cage and its sidebar. More surprisingly, Subaru has now integrated standard EyeSight safety technology into the BRZ Cup Car Basic, a feature typically unexpected in a track-only vehicle. Subaru had already introduced EyeSight in the road-going, manual gearbox BRZ the previous year.
As in previous iterations, this hardcore variant foregoes side and curtain airbags, while much of the sound insulation has been removed. The driver's seat is equipped with eye bolts to accommodate a six-point harness, and the floor mats have been adjusted to accommodate the roll cage. Subaru has also added an additional engine oil cooler and mounted fins to direct air towards the rear differential.
Despite weighing in at 2,843 pounds, the BRZ Cup Car Basic is not actually lighter than its street-legal counterpart. It still features passenger seats and even includes air conditioning, although the roll cage obstructs the side vents. A closer look at the specs reveals that while the side airbags remain present, they are deactivated after the roll cage installation and will not deploy in the event of a crash.
Subaru cautions that the Cup Car Basic may lack in ride comfort, maneuverability, ease of entry and exit, and quietness compared to the standard BRZ. In lieu of a spare tire, the track-oriented vehicle comes with a tire puncture repair kit.
Priced at approximately $24,373, the BRZ Cup Car Basic seems like a bargain, especially considering that the cheapest 2024 BRZ retails for $30,195 in the United States. While these two were nearly identically priced in 2022, the value of the Japanese yen has dropped by approximately 18 percent compared to the American dollar over the past couple of years. Moreover, the cost of the BRZ continues to rise in the US, with the 2024 model year being $1,700 more expensive than its 2023 counterpart.
In addition to the Subaru BRZ Cup Car Basic, there is an equivalent Toyota GR86 version, both of which compete in Japan's GR86/BRZ Cup.