A Flat-Out Legacy
Subaru is one of the few major automakers, alongside Porsche, still widely using boxer engines. This type of engine provides smoother operation, as opposing pistons move in opposite directions to help cancel out vibrations, and a lower center of gravity, which can reduce body roll and improve handling.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Subaru’s first boxer engine, which was introduced in the Subaru 1000 in 1966. To commemorate the milestone, the automaker is offering a special-edition BRZ limited to just 66 examples. The catch, however, is that it will only be available in China, though the special edition still shines a spotlight on the brand’s boxer engine, which is set to disappear from its European lineup by 2028 due to stricter emissions and other regulations.
The Birthday Gifts Keep Coming
The BRZ 60th Anniversary Edition isn’t the first Subaru to celebrate the milestone. Subaru China also introduced 60th Anniversary Edition packages for the Crosstrek and Forester earlier this year.
According to China’s Autohome, the special-edition BRZ gets 60th-anniversary graphics, complemented by exclusive gray paint and STI front-fender accents. An STI flexible V-shaped strut brace is also added to improve steering response and chassis behavior.
Safety is likewise improved with a new wide-angle monocular camera for the EyeSight system, which enhances detection of pedestrians and cyclists, particularly at low-speed intersections. The U.S.-bound BRZ also received a new wide-angle mono camera for the 2027 model year, along with added rear parking sensors for the tS model.
The manual version receives a Sport mode, which improves throttle responsiveness. Speaking of which, the engine remains unchanged, with the 60th Anniversary Edition retaining the 2.4-liter naturally aspirated boxer-four. It’s the same engine found in the Toyota GR86 and makes approximately 231 horsepower in China, compared to 228 horsepower in the U.S.
The Boxer That Built a Brand
The BRZ 60th Anniversary Edition with the stick shift is priced at 299,800 yuan (about $44,950 at current exchange rates), while the automatic-equipped version costs 309,800 yuan (approximately $46,450). In the U.S., the regular 2027 BRZ starts at $36,140, excluding destination charges.
It is unclear whether Subaru will bring an equivalent 60th Anniversary Edition to the U.S. market. But for those looking for exclusivity, perhaps the 2026 BRZ Series.Yellow is the closest alternative. Based on the BRZ tS, the 350-unit Series.Yellow features exclusive Sunrise Yellow paint and STI performance upgrades.
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