Next November 18th will be the day that we will get to know the second generation of Subaru BRZ . For those unfamiliar with the model, the BRZ is the “twin brother” of the Toyota GT86 — the two rear-wheel-drive coupés were jointly developed by the two Japanese manufacturers, and both were launched on the market in 2012.
The partnership between Subaru and Toyota continues in this second generation and we will see the new BRZ in first place, taking into account the teasers and launch date already announced.
However, unlike what happened to the first generation whose career is about to end, the second generation Subaru BRZ will not come to Europe. Ok… If for us, Portuguese, it turns out to be of little relevance, as Subaru has not been on sale in our country for years, it raises fears about the “brother” GT86.
We still haven't fully recovered from the “cold water bath” that was the news of the new Nissan Z not coming to the “Old Continent”, but now the scenario arises that the same can happen with the second generation GT86, in case follow the example of “brother” BRZ.
In the case of Subaru BRZ, the new generation will have as its main target the North American market. No wonder, therefore, that the rumors surrounding the engine it will bring are concentrated on the four-cylinder boxer with 2.4 l capacity of the Japanese brand.
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Even if it remains naturally aspirated (as some rumors suggest), the additional 400 cm3 compared to today's 2.0 l should be enough to respond to criticism from the current generation that it's not powerful enough or that it's "sharp" and have limited availability. It remains to be seen whether the successor to the GT86 — which might be called the GR86 — will follow suit.
If that happens, the tax penalty that was already high for coming with a 2.0 l engine capacity — here in Portugal prices start at around 42,000 euros, in Spain, for example, they start at 34,500 euros —, only may be aggravated with a 2.4 l.
However, for now, it matters more to know if the new GT86 will reach us.