First photo: Subaru BRZ STI

Subaru's pint-sized sports coupe gets the STI treatment

By Justin Hyde | Yahoo! Autos – Fri, Nov 11, 2011 5:53 PM EST

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The most anticipated new model of 2012 is actually two cars -- the Toyota FT-86 that will be sold in the United States as the Scion FR-S, and its mechanical twin, the Subaru BRZ. Toyota has flashed a near concept of the FT-86 for months, but today Subaru shared the first glimpse of what the BRZ will look like.

This isn't the actual production version, but rather what Subaru has christened the BRZ STI -- a concept it will show off at the Los Angeles Auto Show this month, featuring bodywork that's been scooped, bumped and be-winged beyond than the everday model. Underneath the furious fascia lies the same powerplant due for the BRZ, a 2-liter boxer engine driving the rear wheels, and the rear wheels only -- a break with Subaru's all-wheel-drive tradition.

Based on specs leaked earlier this week, the BRZ is expected to offer about 200 hp, which doesn't sound like much in the modern era, but in a car that weighs just 2,500 lbs. and is about a foot shorter than the Subaru Impreza WRX STI. If the BRZ and the Toyota/Scion version meet their promise of rear-wheel-driven fun at a reasonable price -- along with the upcoming Ford Focus ST -- 2012 could bring a bumper crop of compact sports classics.

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