long awaited, the Subaru BRZ Today, together with its unfamiliar twin, the new Toyota GR86 (apparently this is its name) was made known, the continuity of an “endangered species”: the compact traction coupés rear.
Aesthetically, the new BRZ followed the maxim of “evolution in continuity”, not cutting directly with the lines of its predecessor and maintaining many of its general proportions. After all, in a team that wins, there is little movement.
In this way, it continues to focus on compact dimensions and a look that, despite being sporty, does not fall into the temptation of becoming too aggressive. On the outside, the various air inlets and outlets stand out (on the bumper and front mudguards) and the fact that the rear, by adopting larger headlights, has gained a more “muscled” look.
As for the interior, the mostly straight lines show that function took precedence over form. In the technological field, the new Subaru BRZ not only has an 8” screen for the Subaru infotainment system (Starlink) but also adopts a 7” digital instrument panel.
More power for (almost) the same weight
Under the hood of the new Subaru BRZ is a 2.4l four-cylinder atmospheric boxer that delivers 231hp and 249Nm of torque and is redlined at 7000rpm. To give you an idea, the 2.0 boxer used in the first generation was 200 hp and 205 Nm.
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As for the transmission, the Subaru BRZ can have either a manual or an automatic gearbox, both of which have six gears and the latter has a “Sport” mode that automatically selects and maintains an appropriate gear to improve cornering response. Of course, power continues to be sent exclusively to the rear wheels.
The interior continues to adopt a look that emphasizes ease of use.
Weighing 1315 kg, the new BRZ has not gained much weight compared to its predecessor. According to Subaru, the weight savings even with the adoption of a heavier engine was due, in part, to the use of aluminum in the roof, front fenders and hood.
Enhanced technology
According to Subaru, the use of new production methods and lessons learned from the development of the Subaru Global Platform allowed to increase the chassis structural rigidity by 50%, thus allowing for an even better dynamic performance.
Judging by this photo, the new BRZ maintains the dynamic behavior that its predecessor made famous.
In a sort of “sign of the times”, the Subaru BRZ also saw the security and driving assistance systems being reinforced. Thus, in versions with automatic transmission, the BRZ has the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology system, a first for the Japanese model. Its functions include pre-crash braking or adaptive cruise control.
With arrival on the North American market scheduled for the beginning of the fall of 2021, it is already known that the new Subaru BRZ will not be sold here. It remains to be seen whether its “brother”, the Toyota GR86, will follow suit or not.