The Subaru BRZ is a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports car that provides nimble handling and spirited performance at an affordable price. Co-developed with Toyota (which sells its own variant as the Scion FR-S), the BRZ was designed to buck the trend of increasingly heavy, technologically complex vehicles and instead provide a pure, driver-focused experience.
Subaru Engine, Toyota Technology
The BRZ utilizes a Subaru 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder motor with a Toyota D-4S fuel injection system, which uniquely combines direct injection and port injection technology. A direct-type fuel-injection system, which sprays fuel directly into the combustion chambers rather than upstream into the ports, provides a cooling effect in the cylinders, enabling the use of a sky-high 12.5:1 compression ratio to extract maximum energy from the fuel. In light- and medium-load conditions, the system's port fuel injectors help produce precise combustion, increasing performance and efficiency.The result of the joint effort between Subaru and Toyota is 200 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, which may not sound like much in a time of 280-horsepower family sedans but is actually more than enough to move the lightweight BRZ with authority. Shifting duties are handled by a standard six-speed manual transmission, which features a short-throw shifter and is aided and abetted by closely spaced pedals for easy heel-and-toe downshifts. City-dwellers and the clutch-averse can opt for a six-speed automatic, which features a Sport mode for quicker, firmer automatic shifts as well as paddle shifters for full manual control.
Unlike all other vehicles in the Subaru lineup, the BRZ is rear-wheel drive only. A limited-slip differential comes standard with both transmissions. Manual-equipped BRZ models are rated at 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, while opting for the six-speed auto ups mileage to 25/34 mpg.
Trim Level Breakdown
The BRZ Premium includes a generous helping of standard kit, including a navigation system, an eight-speaker sound system, aluminum pedal pads, a leather shift knob and handbrake, a tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel, HD Radio, Sirius satellite radio, a six-speed manual transmission, a Torsen limited-slip differential and 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 205/55/R17 all-season tires.
The upmarket BRZ Limited adds leather-Alcantara upholstery, heated front
seats, a rear lip spoiler, foglights, keyless access and start,
dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lights and slightly meatier
215/45R17 summer tires.
Occupant Safety
The BRZ comes standard with front, side and side curtain airbags, front seats designed to protect occupants against whiplash, electronic traction control and a tire pressure monitoring system.Key Competitors
The BRZ doesn't have any direct competitors - the Mazda MX-5 Miata provides a four-cylinder rear-wheel-drive experience, but only as a convertible. The Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro are priced similarly but both have much more power - and much more mass.
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