Brz Top Speed
At the BRZ's heart is Subaru's 2.0-litre flat-four front engine, codenamed FB20 and already well established in the Impreza. However, it sits 12cm lower in the engine bay than in an Impreza, and 24cm further back. The result is a claimed 45/55 percent front/rear weight distribution. The engine produces 197bhp at 7000rpm and 151lb ft at 6400-6600rpm. Not a huge output, but it feels quick enough, and, thanks to the Toyota-derived cylinder head and direct injection it spins up faster than any other normally aspirated Subaru boxer engine. Only from 1800-3000rpm is the absence of any boost slightly noticeable.
The Subaru BRZ feels agile and light-footed. Turn in to a fast corner and it understeers only very slightly, but trail the brakes or lift mid-corner and that quickly turns into controllable oversteer. And at high speeds it feels very stable, thanks in no small part to a relatively long 2570mm wheelbase.
The engine can be linked to manual or automatic six-speed gearboxes. The automatic box, which image-wise probably fits better to the Toyota version, comes with the three modes – Auto, Manual and Temporary Manual, the latter allowing downshifting via paddles behind the steering wheel. Both work well, but the manual is fitting for such a back-to-basics concept.
Seated inside the Subaru BRZ
Subaru may describe the interior as pure, but some customers may regard it as spartan. However, the emphasis on basic functionality has its merits; from the driver's seat you are confronted by a big rev counter, the speedometer sitting off to the left and the temperature and fuel gauges to the right. The design is clean but basic, and if readability at speed was the only goal, then they are a success.
A mid-life facelift in 2017 saw Subaru not tinker too much with the BRZ. Tweaks were made to the engine block, including strengthening the cylinder block, reducing friction of the camshaft and valve stems, while reducing the weight of the rocker arms all in the name of making the boxer engine more responsive and fuel efficient. Changes was also made to the dampers, the bodykit and driving modes, while a new airbag system and more equipment have also been added to the coupés package.
In terms of trims, there is only one to choose from - SE Lux. It means that the BRZ is certainly well-equipped with automatic LED headlights, 17in alloy wheels, a limited slip differential, dual-exhaust system and electrically heated and folding wing mirrors fitted as standard on the exterior, while inside there are heated front sports seats, a leather and Alcantara upholstery, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone climate control, and Subaru's Starlink infotainment system complete with a 6.0in touchscreen display, and USB and Bluetooth connectivity - although tellingly sat nav is only optional.
The growing conclusion about the BRZ is that the hardest decision will not be whether to part with your money at all, but choosing between whether to have the Subaru or the Toyota.
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Source: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/subaru/brz
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