Subaru BRZ sports car unveiled
Thursday 01 December 2011
• Light weight 1,220kg sports coupe
• 197bhp flat-four engine
• Rear-wheel drive chassis
The covers have come off the Subaru BRZ sports coupe at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Designed to cater to the enthusiast driver, it should offer a pure motoring experience, thanks to its light weight, tuned engine and balanced chassis.
It offers an alternative to front-wheel drive hot hatch and coupe models including the Volkswagen Scirocco, Hyundai Veloster, Audi TT and Renaultsport Megane Coupe.
Fitted with a 2-litre flat-four motor with 197bhp and 151lb/ft, the 1,220kg BRZ hits 62mph in around seven seconds and should have a top speed of more than 140mph. As with the rest of the car, it has been co-developed with the Toyota which has recently announced the GT 86.
The standard gearbox is a six-speed manual, optimised for quick and accurate changes, while an automatic with the same number of ratios has a Sports and Manual mode allowing changes through steering wheel mounted paddles.
It might not be as quick in a straight line as a VW Golf GTI, but it’s in the corners the BRZ is expected to shine, thanks to its low and wide stance, rear-wheel drive and sports tuned suspension.
There’s a 2+2 interior layout, so expect rear seats big enough for kids and luggage, but not much more. The BRZ’s front sports seats have been designed to hold driver and passenger in place and be comfortable, while the steering wheel has been kept small to aid driving feel.
Expected to go on sale in the UK in July 2012, the Subaru BRZ represents a welcome comeback of the affordable Japanese sports car. No prices have been announced yet, but it’s a safe bet it will be close to the speculated £28k of its Toyota GT 86 sister car.
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By Andy Goodwin, senior web journalist