Car and Driver Review of Subaru BRZ

[West]

Here is Car and Drivers review of the said to be Subaru BRZ. There are a lot of details, but keep in mind, not everything is official.



Vehicle Type: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, 2+2 passenger, 2 door coupe.
Base Price (est): $28,000
Engine Type: DOHC 16-valve flat 4, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement: 122 cu in, 1995cc
Power (est): 210hbp @ 6500 rpm
Torque (est): 170 ln-ft @ 4000 rpm
Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
Wheelbase: 101.2 in
Width: 71.00 in
Height: 48.0 in
Curb Weight: 2800-2900lb

Performance
Zero to 60 MPH: 6.0 - 6.2 seconds
Zero to 100 MPH: 15.5-15.7 seconds
1/4 Mile: 14.7-14.9 sec
Top Speed: 140mph

Projected Economy C/D EST
EPA City/Highway: 19/27 MPG

[mele63]

Base price (est): $28K...the August edition of Road & Track (with the Scion on the cover and "Cheap Thrills" in the headline) says it'll cost 20-25K. Maybe the Subaru will come standard with more options; either way, that's an $8K swing.

So add a few options and you're in to the low to mid 30's now. Not good news.

[ej25ti]

why dont they give the length???
at least the height actually stayed at 48" and it better! that's miata low! hah

still though... $28k? means it's gonna come with a lot of unwanted amenities prob, most of which are adding up do that 2900lb curb i guess =/

[ra23celica]

Was there any more pages to this review, the article seems unfinished? Thanks.

[jfrickmann]

Here you are: 2013 Subaru BRZ Sports Car - Prototype Drive - Car Reviews - Car and Driver

[ra23celica]

Thank you kindly.

[Cal]

So what is the extra weight for? The FRS is lighter by nearly 200-300lbs depending on it's final weight.......

[Turbowned]

I guarantee you the FR-S will not weigh 2600lbs. The specs they give out are a generalization for a base model. Keep in mind this is probably for the "Toyota" version of the car which we will not see in the U.S. The FR-S will likely weigh more because of the Scion "mono-spec" design which gives it more standard features (read: body fat).

[Cal]

After reading the entire article I am ready to drive this car, NA or not. Anyone catch how they describe the sound of it?

but the sound—basically  that of an Evinrude outboard chasing smallmouth bass—is typical for a Subaru flattie.

Not sure I get that.

[modifiedMR]

I guarantee you the FR-S will not weigh 2600lbs. The specs they give out are a generalization for a base model. Keep in mind this is probably for the "Toyota" version of the car which we will not see in the U.S. The FR-S will likely weigh more because of the Scion "mono-spec" design which gives it more standard features (read: body fat).

I would agree. The Scion version will probably be 2700-2800 lbs. The Subaru ( 2675 - 2750 lbs) might be a hair lighter than the Scion for a base and more than the Toyota version. This is what I expect. + or - 50 lbs.

[ej25ti]

wait why do u think the subie will be lighter?

[modifiedMR]

wait why do u think the subie will be lighter?

It'll probably be lighter because it will be more performance oriented than the Scion. I expect the Subaru to have sportier seats, rims, and less standard options. Meaning, the top of the line Subaru will be as heavy or slightly lighter than the most all standard equiped Scion. I could easily be wrong and the Scion might be more bare bones, being lighter and cheaper. Who knows for sure?

[Spoolin]

It'll probably be lighter because it will be more performance oriented than the Scion. I expect the Subaru to have sportier seats, rims, and less standard options. Meaning, the top of the line Subaru will be as heavy or slightly lighter than the most all standard equiped Scion. I could easily be wrong and the Scion might be more bare bones, being lighter and cheaper. Who knows for sure?

Do we know will there be an sti and non sti version? Or just an sti

[silentheart]

Dear Spoolin,

I just saw your profile, you are from Bakersfield, CA! Hello there.

Subi will have a STi and regular version.

[Spoolin]

What do you guys think will be the difference if not turbo? And yes I am are you going to the la auto show?

[silentheart]

What do you guys think will be the difference if not turbo? And yes I am are you going to the la auto show?

I don't think my wife care too much if it is turbo or non-turbo. Infact when she bought her Impreza, she got freaked out by the WRX because it just jumped and took off.
For me, I would live to have a turbo version. Better acceleration without giving up efficiency.
No, I am not going to LA Auto Show.
I grow up in Bakersfield, CA. Still consider it my hometown

[Spoolin]

Ya but how do you think they will make the performance difference between the regular brz and the sti if the sti is not turbo? Maybe just weight?

[silentheart]

Ya but how do you think they will make the performance difference between the regular brz and the sti if the sti is not turbo? Maybe just weight?

I will suggest you to test drive a Impreza WRX vs WRX Sti. You will see the difference. Bigger brake, stiffer and tighter handling, and STi come in MT only.

[ej25ti]

I think Motor Trend's estimates are a lil off lol
2500lb??
that would be nice though

2013 Subaru BRZ Prototype First Drive - Motor Trend

[homeryansta]

210 hp flat 4 and gets the same gas mileage as a 332 hp v6 370z.


wow....

[modifiedMR]

210 hp flat 4 and gets the same gas mileage as a 332 hp v6 370z.


wow....

Don't forget that it's sub 2800 lbs. I'm not that impressed with the power, nor the mpg's. You'd think with the new Impreza getting much better mileage and it's 400-600 lbs heavier while pushing 4 wheels, that the lighter, rwd only, twin fuel injection BRZ would be 28-30 city mpg and 35-37 highway. The only reason I suspect for the mileage, is because they are using such aggressive of a tune, they are compensating with richer AFR. A tune and a few flow mods will probably push up mpg's easily.

I've also heard the Z's tune is so aggressively lean, the power will go down after running it hard a few times. Like it will pull timing as combustion temps and knock values increase. Not sure how valid that is.

I am very much looking forward to the release of actual specs. Something seems out of place. Either power, mileage or compression seems out of line with the specs. If compression is lower than expected, then we might have a potential for boost.

Base price and curb weight are very different in the two articles. Lets hope it's more on the Motor Trend's side.

[Goose]

Here are some answers re: compression and weight.

New FR-S BRZ Technology Info! Engine specs, CoG, Drag Coefficient, Dimensions, etc. - Scion FR-S Forum | Subaru BRZ Forum | Toyota FT-86 Forum | ft86club

Per the article in the link, CR is 12.5, and they are aiming for a P/W ratio of 6 KG/PS,which works out to roughly 1200 kg. Oh, and kinda like 1st gen VTEC, the fuel delivery is split, depending on revs. At low and medium revs, fuel delivered by both port and direct, but in the high range, by direct injection only.

[modifiedMR]

If you look at the power curve on the chart, you can see the difference in cam profiles. If this car's head was tweaked to 8000 rpm with larger cams, valves, etc., I could see large gains because of the compression. The car is a mix of miata and s2000. Not as much power as the s2000, but less weight. You can figure car weight by their 6 kg : ps ratings. By multiplying 6 kg x 2.2 (converting it to lbs) and then multiply that by 197 hp (ps is usually about 3-5 higher than what our hp is rated at), you end up with a weight of 2600 lbs. That is LIGHT. If they come out with a turbo version, it would still weigh less than 2750 lbs. Check mr2 na (2650 lbs) vs mr2 turbo (2800 lbs) and the turbo mr2 cars have alot more stuff (leather, subs, etc), so it could even be lighter than that.

I can see a turbo put right in front of the sway bar there and having it plumbed up by where the battery was in the other thread, but I can see why they might build a totally NA STI. Why? This car has a max hp at 7k and redlines at 7400 rpm. If you did like I said above with headwork and a raised redline, I could see 40 hp increase or more by going to a higher rev limit, adding cams, valve springs, valves, intake manifold, etc. The compression will make gains if they can get flow. Maybe up to 250+ hp STI? I hope they turbo it, but I can see why they are saying NA as the potential is there. A 7400 rev limit and a max hp at 7k means it's got room up top to grow. I just hope they add the turbo instead!!!!!!

I am very impressed with the CG, weight, looks and most everything except one big point. 53 F/ 47 R is NOT optimal. Maybe to control a slide, but not to hold grip. 46 F / 54 R seems much better, IMO. Helps braking and traction coming out of a corner. That brings me to "midship" quote. This thing is FR and not even close to MR. A FMR (front mid engine rwd) would have the engine entirely behind the front shock towers. This doesn't. I don't care if "most of the weight" is behind the shock towers, it's still putting most of the engine weight up front, which is why it's 57% front weighted.

I may end up buying a base model, paying it off in 5 years, then turbo it down the road, if no turbo is offered stock. Or not at all.

[Goose]

So if you take 2600 lbs and 197 hp, that converts to a P/W of 13.2 lbs/HP. What else out there runs at that level, for comparison purposes?

[modifiedMR]

'02 Celica GTS = 2450 lbs, 180 hp, 140 tq, 14.9-15.1 ET P:w of 13.6
'04 s2000 (AP2) = 2800 lbs, 240 hp, 162 tq, 14.2-14.4 ET p:w 11.6
NC MX5 Miata = 2450 lbs, 170 hp, 140 tq, 15.2-15.5 ET p:w 14.4
'08 RX-8 = 2800 lbs, 238 hp, 152 tq, 14.4-14.6 ET p:w 11.7
2013 Genesis Coupe 2.0T = 3300 lbs, 271 hp, 275 tq, 13.8-13.9 ET(?) p:w 12.1
2011 Mustang V6 = 3453 lbs, 305 hp, 280 tq, 13.7 ET p:w 11.4

[Goose]

Hmmm, worse than the heavier RX8, GC 2.0T and Mustang. I assume would also be worse than base Challenger or Camaro V6. So as the developers said in the beginning, not meant to outperform at the strip, more set-up for tracking.

[Goose]

As a bit of a comparison, the BMW Z4 sDrive28i also has a 2.0L engine w/ RWD, and the shape/size is very close to the FR-S/BRZ. Weight is 3263 lbs, HP is 240, which puts its P:W at 13.6, same as the '02 Celica GT-S above. And for the price of one, you can buy two of the Scion/Subie. Or just buy one and monster it out, and still save dough. I get that the Z4 is not the intended target, but I'm comparing it because it too, is a low slung RWD coupe w/ 4cyl (although turbo'd) engine.

[Cal]

Hmmm, worse than the heavier RX8, GC 2.0T and Mustang. I assume would also be worse than base Challenger or Camaro V6. So as the developers said in the beginning, not meant to outperform at the strip, more set-up for tracking.

See the thing I don't get is, that why can't they have the car from the factory with the whole track setup thing, yet leave room for improvement for those that want the HP and the tracking ability?

Instead of a 12:5:1 compression ration and keep it NA I think they could have shot for a curb weight of 2750-2800 and added a low power turbo, maybe 210-220HP, with a compression of 9:1. Still lets people have a low weight car with tons of drivability, yet for those of us that want a bit more power can do so in the future.

[modifiedMR]

See the thing I don't get is, that why can't they have the car from the factory with the whole track setup thing, yet leave room for improvement for those that want the HP and the tracking ability?

Instead of a 12:5:1 compression ration and keep it NA I think they could have shot for a curb weight of 2750-2800 and added a low power turbo, maybe 210-220HP, with a compression of 9:1. Still lets people have a low weight car with tons of drivability, yet for those of us that want a bit more power can do so in the future.

Exactly. You can't win on a real track with this power level, unless we are talking autox. LOL. The STI is a HUGE disappointment. Like some "hot chick" you bring home that pulls out a big wang, kinda disappointment!

Look at the WRX vs WRX STI. You have 40 hp and then a host of other nice things for ~7k, which is a bargain for all the stuff. The difference is HUGE. 5 spd vs 6 spd. Brakes, rims, seats, suspension, aero, diff's, etc. Then look at the brz vs brz sti?? What happened?

[ej25ti]

Exactly. You can't win on a real track with this power level, unless we are talking autox. LOL. The STI is a HUGE disappointment. Like some "hot chick" you bring home that pulls out a big wang, kinda disappointment!

Look at the WRX vs WRX STI. You have 40 hp and then a host of other nice things for ~7k, which is a bargain for all the stuff. The difference is HUGE. 5 spd vs 6 spd. Brakes, rims, seats, suspension, aero, diff's, etc. Then look at the brz vs brz sti?? What happened?

well i kinda just responded to this in my other post lol, but u kinda proved my point
but we still dont know the official specs so idk guess we'll have to wait