Toyota and Subaru have always said they were going to unveil their collaborative vehicles at the same time, so after finally seeing the production version Toyota GT 86, the production version of the highly anticipated BRZ sports car was given its time to shine. Next to the GT 86, the new BRZ will be making its world debut this week at the Tokyo Auto Show and will go on sale early next year.
While developing the two sports cars, Subaru and Toyota promised they would deliver totally different design languages, but upon close inspection, the two vehicles are almost identical. Both vehicles have a strong front fascia, but the BRZ will be distinguished by a Subaru-signed hexagon lower grille, front bumper design, and headlight detailing. Other details setting it apart are the custom fender vents, integrated exhaust tips, and revised tail-lamps.
As previously confirmed, the Subaru BRZ will be powered by the same 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed boxer engine found in the GT 86. The engine even delivers the same 200 HP and 151 lb-ft torque, meaning the promised 300 HP will be reserved for the STI version.
UPDATE 12/07/2011: Although not yet confirmed, it is being rumored that the Subaru BRZ will go on sale at a starting price of $24,000 for the BRZ Premium and $27,000 for the BRZ Limited. The base Premium model will come with aluminum pedals, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an 8-speaker system and Navigation as standard. The Limited version will come with the usual Subaru leather and alcantara seats, foglights in the bumper, and a boot spoiler not seen on the model in Tokyo.(MotorTrend)
UPDATE 02/06/2012: Subaru has unveiled an interesting commercial for its new BRZ sports car in which a Japanese family gets brought together, torn apart, and then brought together once again with the BRZ serving as a highlight of the ordeal. If it sounds like an emotional drama, it kind of is. Then again, pulling at the heart strings always works for sales. Check it out!
Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Subaru BRZ.
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We all knew the secret was out of the bag as far as Subaru’s impending participation in the Japanese Super GT series. Now, the Japanese automaker has officially revealed their entry to the racing series: the Subaru BRZ GT300 Race Car.
The BRZ GT300 Race Car is being built to compete in the Super GT series, replacing the existing Subaru Legacy STI that’s currently plying its craft in race tracks all over Japan.
In terms of its design, the BRZ GT300 looks a lot different than the production BRZ, as well it should. The former was engineered specifically for racing reasons and as such, it’s had some in-house tuning done on it courtesy of STI. Among the modifications done on the BRZ GT300 include a larger carbon fiber splitter, a larger front air intake, new air scoops on the bonnet, a fixed rear spoiler, a new diffuser, Perspex windows, and a new set of 18" black alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohoma Advan tires. As you can expect, the interior of the BRZ GT300 was completely stripped down to its bare essentials to ensure that the car loses as much weight as it can. In place of everything that was taken down, Subaru added a full roll cage and a Recaro racing seat.
Under the hood of the race car, Subaru outfitted the BRZ GT300 with an STI-developed 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that has been tuned to produce 300 horsepower, right in line with the requirements for the GT300 class of the Super GT Series where the racer will be competing in.
UPDATE 01/13/12: The Subaru contingent at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon was in full force, including the BRZ GT300 Race Car. Check out the auto show photos of the racer in all its glory, courtesy of Subaru.
It’s not unusual for the unveiling of a new sports car to come with rumors of a drop top version as well and as soon as the Subaru BRZ broke cover, that’s exactly what we got. Right now it’s just a rumor, with no real confirmation coming any time soon, but the future BRZ Convertible is shaping up to be one hot little number.
If the BRZ Convertible does happen, it will keep every aspect from the coupe model, including the exterior and interior design features and engine lineup. The lone difference will be on the roof, with fabric or folding metal options readily available for the convertible model. We figure Subaru will opt for whichever option is the cheapest to keep the price at a comfortable level.
Power for the BRZ will still come from the 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed boxer engine used in the Coupe with an output of 200 HP and 151 lb-ft torque. However, because a convertible model is generally heavier than a coupe, expect to see slower performance numbers.
It is believed that the BRZ Convertible will arrive for the 2014 model year and will cost about $5K more than the Coupe.
The 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show allowed Subaru to unveil the Impreza Design Concept, a preview version of the next generation Impreza. Details for the vehicle have been sparse since then, but we decided to dream up what the WRX STI version would look like anyway.
The concept’s design is defined by a theme of "Dynamic, Enticing, Secure." Starting with this theme, the WRX STI version adds requisite fender flares, a top-mount intercooler, and, that massive wing on the back.
The standard Impreza is expected to be revealed in early 2011. It will continue offering the same 2.5 liter Boxer engine, but rumors are also circulating that a hybrid version will also be available, a first for Subaru. The WRX STI model will follow a few months later with sales beginning in early 2012.
UPDATE 07/14/2011: New details about the future generation Subaru Impreza WRX suggest that, starting 2014, the Impreza and the WRX will go their separate ways. What this means is that the car will simply be called the Subaru WRX and will be a totally different vehicle. According to a MotorTrend source: "Apart from a few nuts and bolts, every part on the WRX will be unique. Even the engine and body. Obviously the WRX’s platform will be inherited from the new Impreza, but it will be radically modified and significantly shortened."
UPDATE 11/18/2011: During their presence at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Subaru has offered new details on the next WRX STI model. The car will continue to be turbocharged and will use a forced-induction version of the carmaker’s new 2.0-liter "FB" boxer four engine with an output of about 300 HP. (CarAndDriver)
UPDATE 12/08/2011: The Subaru WRX has been rumored to deliver up to 300 HP, but new details are suggesting that the standard model will actually use a turbocharged version of the BRZ 2.0-liter boxer engine with an output of about 270 HP. That’s 30 HP we’ll probably never see again.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Subaru WRX STI model.
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Toyota’s announcement for a supercharged version of the recently launched GT 86 sports car was apparently just the beginning of the Toyota/Subaru match of HP wits. Now, Subaru has confirmed that the company is preparing a turbocharged version of the 2.0-liter flat-four engine used in the BRZ, in addition to the previously rumored STI version. The new turbocharged variant will be based on the FA20 engine and will be built at the company’s Oizumi engine plant, where the BRZ and all Toyota/Scion variants are being produced. It will be used in many of the future Subaru models, most likely including a hotter version of the BRZ, as well as the future WRX.
As of right now, there are no other details regarding turbo size or the engine’s final output, but previous rumors have suggested that Subaru was working on a 300 HP BRZ model. This may be the final output for its turbocharged version, unless we’re going to get some extra ponies in addition to that.
