Subaru BRZ 2012-2020 review

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The BRZ and the GT86 are two peas from the same pod, but we find out if the Subaru moniker makes it a different beast to the superb Toyota?

This is the Subaru BRZ, which is perhaps best, if contentiously, described as Subaru’s take on the Toyota GT86  itself the long-awaited lightweight, front-engined, rear-drive sports coupé that has enjoyed what some would see as protracted pre-launch overexposure. 

The contention would appear to be over just who is responsible for what in the two cars’ conception, design and development. In 2008, Toyota chairman Katsuaki Watanabe decided he wanted an affordable 2+2 coupé, but his company was already at full production capacity and its development engineers were flat-out working on other projects. As a result, the Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ are, in fact, mostly a Subaru production. 

Subaru's BRZ was benchmarked against the Porsche Cayman R
Matt Prior
Editor-at-large

Subaru’s BRZ project leader Yoshio Hirakawa refers to the car as "ours" and confirms that Subaru was responsible for its development, testing and production, with Toyota – a 16.5 percent share holder in Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries – taking the lead on project planning and design. To this end, Subaru has also built a new production facility for the car, near its main facility in Oizumi in Japan.

Hirakawa promotes Subaru’s version of the car as more focused at the enthusiast than the better-equipped (but pricier) Toyota. However, he admits that the differences between the cars are limited to wheel design, badges and interior trim.

Understanding the Subaru BRZ's place

He also confirms the BRZ was benchmarked against the Porsche Cayman R, eagerly pointing out that the Subaru is 100kg lighter than its rival at 1239kg, and has a centre of gravity 2.5cm lower. The power deficit – more than 100bhp – is not dwelled on, however.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Subaru BRZ 2012-2020 First drives

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