Subaru BRZ
We drive the new Subaru BRZ on public roads for the first time
Now that the BRZ has proven itself on track and road, we can confidently say that it’s a brilliant driver’s car. Rather than chasing high horsepower figures and loading it with heavy, expensive technology, Subaru has focused on what matters: driving experience. The results are breathtaking. What’s more, the sub-£25k price tag for the most basic model means this genuine performance car is within the reach of many people.
We’ve already been blown away by the fluid handling and basic approach of the Subaru BRZ on track, but now it’s time for a real-world test.
Public roads are where most BRZs will spend the majority of their time, and we’ve got 200 miles of the best tarmac in the south of France to play with.
Although it was great fun to throw the BRZ around a circuit, our only doubt was whether 197bhp is enough power to do justice to the superb chassis.
After just a few quick corners it’s clear that we needn’t have worried. The 2.0-litre boxer engine is more than adequate to exploit the lively rear-wheel- drive handling on public roads.
The engine is at its best near the 7,450rpm limit, so hanging on to the gears and changing down to second for tight corners is crucial.
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The six-speed manual box fitted to our test car had a wonderfully precise and Porsche-like short throw. We also tried the six-speed paddleshift automatic, which is well engineered to suit the car, but proved less satisfying than changing gear for yourself. Plus, our manual-transmission BRZ had a louder, more characterful exhaust note.
Other cars’ electronically assisted steering systems have been criticised for a lack of feel, but with skinny tyres at each corner of the BRZ, there’s plenty of feedback through the wheel, so you can place the car precisely.
Switch the traction control completely off and you discover the other benefit of slimmer tyres: less grip. A limited-slip differential is also standard, which only adds to the fun.
Key to the BRZ’s predictable handling is the compact 2.0-litre engine sitting 11.9cm lower and 24.1cm further back in the chassis than in the Impreza, which lowers the BRZ’s centre of gravity. Add a lower body, near-50:50 weight distribution and a 1,253kg kerbweight (50kg lighter than a Porsche Cayman R), and it’s easy to see why this new Subaru handles with such finesse.
It has a supple ride, too, which comes as a pleasant surprise. The rear suspension layout comes from a WRX STi, ensuring responsive handling. The wheels are small for a modern car (the mid-spec model has 16-inch alloys, while our range-topper comes with 17s), but the trade-off is some give in the taller sidewalls.
The styling isn’t going to win any design competitions, but the unfussy lines and classic proportions are undeniably appealing. After all, this is a car for driving, not posing.
Even the interior isn’t as lacklustre as some reports would have you believe. The seats are supportive, and although the dash and centre console materials are not soft-touch, they should still prove durable enough. The rear seats are only really suitable for small children, but they can be folded down to create a useful stowage area.
Enthusiasts can opt for a stripped-out track-day special that costs a lot less than the top-spec car we drove. And that could well prove to be the best buy, because it focuses entirely on what the BRZ is best at: pure driving pleasure.
