- Subaru's companion to the Toyota 86, the 2013 BRZ, has been unveiled ahead of its official Tokyo auto show debut.
- The BRZ has been teased and previewed in concept form at several auto shows this year.
- The BRZ goes on sale next spring in the U.S.
TOKYO — The 2013 Subaru BRZ, the companion to the Toyota 86 sport coupe, has been unveiled ahead of its official 2011 Tokyo Auto Show debut.
The BRZ has been teased and previewed in concept form at several auto shows this year, including Geneva (as the BRZ Prologue) and Los Angeles (as the BRZ Concept STI). A so-called "technology concept" was presented in September at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.
Slated to go on sale next spring in the U.S., the BRZ was jointly developed with the rear-wheel-drive Toyota 86, which will be marketed in the U.S. as the Scion FR-S.
Both cars share a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter direct-injection boxer four-cylinder engine that makes 197 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, and can be ordered with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
Subaru said the production BRZ will weigh 2,689 pounds and will ride on 215/45R17 tires. Suspension is via struts in front and double wishbones in the rear.
In the Japanese market, it will feature 2+2 seating. The cockpit houses a digital speedo in the center of the gauge cluster, as well as a smaller-than-usual sport steering wheel that comes with paddle shifters on cars equipped with an automatic transmission.
Inside Line says: So much anticipation. Is it the car enthusiasts have been waiting for?
Add A Comment »
eldaino2 says:
01:03 PM, 12/03/2011
@kdurrell: where did you get that an integra type r weighs more than some trims of the current generation civic?
3vilgeniu5 says:
09:54 PM, 12/02/2011
@kdurrell
Fun fact...
The USDM GD chassis WRX STi's from 2004-2007 shared the same 1st-4th gear ratios and final drive as it's JDM counterpart. 5th and 6th gears in the US spec car were widened to increase highway fuel economy in the EJ257 engine. The USDM had a 7000 RPM redline, with it's peak power coming in at 6200 RPM which dropped off significantly beyond 6500 RPM. The JDM spec had a 8000 RPM redline, power peak at 6400 RPM but, the power band stayed within 10% of peak all the way to 7800 RPM before dropping off significantly. It is because of this the transmission was essentially being short-shifted in the USDM car. This doesn't sound so interesting until you look at the performance figures. The JDM car enjoyed better 0-60 times because of the engines higher redline (and engine tuning); JDM 2nd gear redline was at 62 MPH whereas the US spec redlined at 55 MPH. This also translated into better 1/4 mile figures for the JDM car.
Not all 17" wheels are alike, the stock 17" alloys for the GD chassis WRX STi are 19 lbs/wheel, the 17" BBS wheel option was 15 lbs/wheel, and the Prodrive P1 wheel option was 22 lbs/wheel. This may sound insignificant but, keep in mind you also have to factor in the weight of the tires and how many wheels are driven. Add it all up and that's a lot of weight the engine has to get turning. It is practically adding weight to your flywheel and as far as engine response is concerned lighter is better. Especially when the engine has not much power to begin with.
kdurrell says:
06:41 PM, 12/02/2011
@3vilgeniu5:
I hear you, but I think you are painting a worst case scenario. My guess is Subaru knows how to gear a car just fine (see WRX STi) and the larger wheels are within reason. Here in 2011 17's are relatively conservative (for opposite see 2011 Camaro).
engineer_mba says:
04:10 PM, 12/01/2011
The BRZ is a beautiful car and it will be an exciting entry-level sports car if Subaru (and Toyota) can keep the price competitive. With that said, I think that the back seat makes very little sense in a car this small other than possibly to allow the car to qualify for lower insurance premiums perhaps. I think that the back seat should have been cargo space only (like the Nissan Z). I will be interested to know how roomy the front seat is for tall drivers. I am over six feet tall (and typically wear pants with a 36" inseam). Some years ago, I had an opportunity to sit in a new Honda S2000 in a dealer show room. Even with the seat in the rear most position, I did not fit comfortably and my legs didn't quite fit under the [non-adjustable] steering wheel. I will wait and see....
(Perhaps I can have my legs shortened.)
powered_by_k20 says:
12:14 AM, 12/01/2011
LOWER CENTER OF GRAVITY THAN A FERRARI F430!!!!
I want to take this thing around a track and drift!
3vilgeniu5 says:
08:55 PM, 11/30/2011
I'm sure there will be enough outcry for a higher performance version to be made available. It would not surprise me one bit if the 1.6L direct-injection turbo from the next gen WRX / WRX STi makes it into this in a few years.
@kdurrell
Peak horsepower/torque numbers mean little without the gear ratios. The Type R's gear ratios were specifically set up to keep the engine on the high performance cam profile ("in the VTEC zone" as some would put it) when shifting at power peak. Curb weight is good but, I'm more interested in how it's distributed. Larger wheels just means it's more aesthetically pleasing to look at but, if they're heavy they are just detriment to the cars overall performance.
@pommah
Making a roadster version of the BRZ/FR-S would mean they would need to make up for the structural rigidity lost when removing the roof. Even with proper bracing most convertible versions don't handle as well as their hard top counterparts and they weigh more. The S2000 was designed from the ground up as a roadster so they were able to engineer the car accordingly.
zr1man says:
08:52 PM, 11/30/2011
I got an idea! Put a real engine in it and let it compete with the gtr. I would like to see that. Might drive the gtr fan boys nuts.
Be Proud. Buy American.
kdurrell says:
04:29 PM, 11/30/2011
2001 Integra Type R: 2822lbs, 1.8L, 195hp, 130lbft, 15in wheels, front drive 6.2 0-60 14.7 1/4@97ish
BRZ: 2689lbs, 2.0L, 197hp, 151lbft, 17in wheels, rear drive
The BRZ looks like a winner on paper. I can't believe someone posted they wonder if it will be able to outrun a Sienna. Maybe if it was a turbo'd Sienna...
planegeek614 says:
10:00 AM, 11/30/2011
I really want one! This looks much better than the Toyota/Scion; looks much more serious.
elementrace says:
03:53 AM, 11/30/2011
I don't believe the goal of this car was to be the ultimate in performance. I still can't figure out why people seem to put horsepower as the most important thing about the car.
I mean I don't think any of you live in or around a racetrack or have the chance to take a car on a spin on a regular basis. The cars ultimate performance capabilities are a moot point for most of us.
I'd rather have fun trying to drive a slow car fast than be frustrated having to drive a fast car slow.
If any of you know anything about the "history" this car is supposed to represent then you would understand that out of a humble "sporty" car (the AE86) came a legendary performance car capable of beating some legendary sports cars.
You don't get a passionate fan base selling a car that's highly capable, but ultimately sterile and inspires no passion or personal involvement.
That's what Toyota wants from this. They don't just want loyal customers. They want people to be excited and passionate about the brand.