A total sports car package – the looks, the interior, the performance and the ride/handling
Out of stock until next year; tight rear seat legroom; no satellite navigation
Imagine the powerhouse team that would result if the Canterbury Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm partnered-up in the NRL or if AFL teams the Sydney Swans and Adelaide Crows joined forces. So it is when Subaru and Toyota got together to develop and all-new rear-wheel-drive sports car – the BRZ and 86.
2012 Subaru BRZ Overview
Arrival of the BRZ was not without controversy at Subaru Australia. While it maintains the company’s all-range maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, as a rear-wheel-drive car it stands alone in the local lineup which is otherwise all all-wheel-drive.
But what a car to end the all AWD mantra. Like its Toyota cousin the Subaru BRZ is the ‘real deal’ – a high performance rear-drive sports car which will delight enthusiasts with its pin-sharp dynamics.
While Toyota sells the 86 in two specification grades (GT and GTS), Subaru has gone for just one grade for the BRZ which is close to the GTS-spec 86 (the BRZ misses out on satellite navigation principally).
Our test car was the six-speed manual Subaru BRZ which is priced at $37,150. The six-speed automatic version will set you back $39,730.
Unfortunately Subaru Australia’s 2012 allocation of BRZs sold-out within hours but you can order one now for delivery from early next year.
2012 Subaru BRZ Engine
As we know, Subaru supplies the naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre boxer engine which is fitted with Toyota direct injection and drives through transmissions also sourced from Toyota.
The new-generation FA series engine is a pearler – an Atkinson cycle design with a 12:1 compression ratio, it loves to rev and delivers its performance with a pleasingly purposeful growl from the twin exhausts.
Maximum power is 147kW at 7000rpm and peak torque of 205Nm is delivered at 6600rpm.
Unlike the FB series Subaru flat fours there are significant differences for the FA – it’s square (86mm stroke and bore), the belt layout is different and the air intake is at the front (all to help the low centre of gravity). There are also unique pistons, and a new Active Valve Control System.
2012 Subaru BRZ The Interior
Our Subaru BRZ test car was fitted with the $1500 optional leather/alcantara interior trim which does deliver some extra pizzaz for the interior.
You sit low in the BRZ – it’s a proper sports car – and the seat/driving position/alloy pedals are just how enthusiast drivers like them. The red instruments are also spot-on for a sports car with a prominent rev-counter and digital speedometer both straight ahead.
The BRZ runs the WRX STI Rev and Red Zone indicator allowing the driver to set a pre-determined engine speed for the buzzer and gear change indicator light to activate.
Audio is a six-speaker CD system with the usual connectivity.
Of course the rear seat is best for youngsters. Adults can squeeze in for short trips with co-operation from the driver and front passenger.
Subaru BRZ runs a full-size spare wheel stored in the boot which only offers 217-litres of capacity with the rear seat in-place.
2012 Subaru BRZ Exterior & Styling
Subaru fans will be pleased to know the BRZ is available in an exclusive colour – the hallmark WR Blue Mica – we’ve seen one in this colour and it looked great. Our test car was painted in silver metallic.
As we know, the Subaru BRZ was designed to look like a true sports car from the first glance. It’s compact (4240mm long and just 1245mm high), aerodynamic (drag cD 0.27) and the short front and rear overhangs are extreme.
Sculpturing on the bonnet, roof, rear panels and the underbody diffuser isn’t just for looks – air is channeled efficiently for optimized high-speed stability.
Wheels are good-looking 17-inch alloys with Michelin tyres.
And the BRZ is the first Subaru with LED Daytime Running Lights which give the car a great on-road presence.
2012 Subaru BRZ On The Road
Subaru fits the BRZ with a unique suspension calibration which is just a bit stiffer than the Toyota 86. But the design is the same – that clever reverse-position L-shaped front lower arm and double wishbone rear end.
Over our high-speed mountain roads loop, it was impossible to pick a difference between the two – both are brilliant.
We tried different VSC settings and the changes are noticeable. Sure you can switch everything off to get the wheels spinning and dial-up lots of opposite lock like they do on ‘that’ TV show, but the fast way is to use the technology to your advantage in which case the Subaru BRZ delivers driving dynamics normally associated with high-priced European sports cars.
Once again the chassis balance is the most impressive aspect (53:47 front-rear weight distribution and ultra-low centre of gravity) as the Subaru BRZ turned-in unfazed by high speeds and road imperfections. And that’s when the VSC becomes your friend, working hard to deliver brisk acceleration and just the right amount of power oversteer to fire out of the corner.
All the while that 2.0-litre Boxer engine growls with intent and revs freely way beyond 7000rpm.
And here’s another clever bit – around town in the peak-hour commute, the Subaru BRZ ambles along unruffled and is light to drive even when constantly crawling in first and second (unlike the local HSV and FPV products). But, like all sports cars, you’re constantly aware of its compact, road-hugging size (we pulled-up next to a ‘B-Double’ semi and all we saw was wheel nuts!).
2012 Subaru BRZ Challenges
Now having logged plenty of kilometres in the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 we’ve had a chance to reflect on this world-beating sports car.
Both lose some points for their narrow boots and load-restricting full-size spare wheels. Yes we know it’s all about sports car dynamics and even the fuel tank wraps over the driveshaft to keep things light and compact, but we reckon some more thought in the design process could have delivered all that with a more luggage-friendly boot.
And, compared to the GTS model Toyota 86, the Subaru BRZ loses points for the lack of satellite navigation.
2012 Subaru BRZ Verdict
For driving enjoyment, on a scale of one to 10, rank the Subaru BRZ about 100! Yep, it’s that good (like the Toyota 86).
The combination of a pin-sharp rear-wheel-drive chassis balanced with the 2.0-litre Boxer engine and slick six-speed manual gets out vote. But where Subaru has been smart is the technology – the Torsen limited slip differential and enthusiastic calibration of the VSC system means the BRZ more than meets the demands of even the most sporty of drivers.
And the BRZ feels like a sports car costing twice as much as its $37,150 price tag when you climb behind the wheel.
2012 Subaru BRZ The Competition
Lots of options for sports car buyers, apart from the obvious Toyota 86 (starting price $29,990 for the GT manual or $35,490 for the GTS manual which roughly equates to the Subaru BRZ manual we tested).
You can get a Kia Cerato Koup from $23,690 but of course that isn’t really in the sports car league of the BRZ.
Hyundai’s cool Veloster (from $23,990) in its current form isn’t as dynamic as the Subaru BRZ but the upcoming turbocharged model holds lots of promise.
Mazda MX-5 starts at $42,460 and rivals the BRZ for driving dynamics – but of course the mighty MX-5 doesn’t have a rear seat.
From Europe, the gloriously styled Audi TT is a favourite but the $64,500 starting price buys only a 118kW 1.8-litre engine and the TT isn’t as dynamic to drive as the BRZ.
Same for the BMW 1-Series Coupe (starting price $47,400 for the 115kW 120i).
