Subaru BRZ 2.0i SE 2dr
by Tim Barnes-Clay, the man behind the wheel.
Date: 14 May 2013
It is the most exciting car Subaru has made for a long time. We’ve all been waiting for the thrills and spills to be injected back into the Japanese automaker – and, hey presto, the BRZ has made us all take notice of it again.
Toyota’s GT86 DNA
The Scooby shares its DNA with Toyota’s GT86 – and both models’ heritage can be traced back to the Toyota 2000 GT - the archetypal front engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car. The BRZ is just as awe-inspiring as that ever was and, even without a 21st century turbo added to the mix, it still kicks like a mule.
Under the bonnet there’s a 2.0-litre flat-four boxer lump mated to a six speed gearbox. It churns out 197bhp at 7000rpm which, when combined with the BRZ’s exquisite sense of balance, makes it one of the most seductive sports car’s around at the moment. 0-62mph comes in 7.6 seconds - that doesn’t sound particularly extraordinary these days, although I guarantee you it feels rapid enough in this 2+2 coupé.
The needle stops rising at 140mph, but where are you going to drive that fast in the UK anyway? These numbers aren’t important – it’s all about the sensation the car delivers - and the emotion you experience behind the wheel is one of unadulterated joy.
In fact, the Subaru puts a smile on your face the moment you slide into the supportive, hip-hugging driver’s seat and close your hands around the thick, leather steering wheel. This amused facial expression soon transforms into a beaming grin when you engage first gear using the stumpy gear stick then set off on your pleasure trip.
Eye On The Ball
On the move the BRZ has a very low centre of gravity, so it’ll take to the twisty bits as though it’s on rails. It can insist you thrash the living daylights out of it; consequently you need to have your eye on the ball at all times.
The steering is so responsive that it’s easy to wander over the white line if you’re fleetingly unfocused. The back end can get twitchy in soggy weather as well, but that makes the drive all the more interesting.
There’s certainly no piloting this sports coupé with your little finger on the steering wheel – it’s a car that needs to be kept in check. And after you finish your outing in the Subaru you almost feel as if you’ve been to the gym. It’s exhausting to be in command of – but in a good way.
Another great fact about the BRZ is that it’s not prohibitively expensive. At £24,995 it’s affordable enough to be bought as a second ‘fun car’ for those precious days away from work. Forget taking anyone other than a front seat passenger with you though – the rear ‘seats’ are far too small to be practical.
A Bit Of Polish
But who cares about that when you have such a cracking looking set of wheels? To be honest, you won’t want to stop giving the Scooby a rub down. Heck, I even gave my press car a polish.
Why? Well it looked so dazzling in metallic blue it seemed a crime to let any dead insects or dirt ruin its complexion.
Finally, be ready for people to stop and enquire about what you’re driving. Don’t worry; they won’t be interested in you – just the car. I was asked if I was in the ‘latest’ Toyota MR2. Sometimes I wonder if folks can read – the coupé plainly has Subaru BRZ scribbled on it. But, hey, at least curiosity is being demonstrated – and that’s got to be an encouraging signal for Subaru.
PROS ‘N’ CONS
PROS
- Exhilarating
- Demanding
- Top looks
- Price-tag
CONS
- Rear seats
FAST FACTS
- Max speed: 140 mph
- 0-62 mph: 7.6 secs
- Combined mpg: 36.2
- Engine: 1998 cc 16 valve flat-four boxer petrol
- Max. power (bhp): 197 at 7000 rpm
- Max. torque (lb/ft): 151 at 6400-6600 rpm
- CO2: 181 g/km
- Price: £24,995 on the road
