Subaru

BRZ

With an exhilarating driving experience guaranteed the drop-dead gorgeous BRZ is guaranteed to turn heads wherever it goes. And there’s a choice of engines and trim levels to suit.

Test Drive

Subaru BRZ (2017) – first drive

With sporty dynamic styling and a performance to match Subaru’s BRZ has always been a head-turner but the latest model has taken the car’s all-round appeal to a whole new level.

The sports coupe styling remains but the new car is lower and wider at the front end giving it a far more imposing stance. There is the trademark hexagonal grille, full LED headlights which is a first for Subaru, plus short front and rear overhangs which complement the dynamic styling along with twin tail pipes, redesigned rear LED light clusters and a new-look spoiler that also improves the car’s dynamics. The muscular appearance is completed by 10-spoke alloys.

Move inside and the interior of the car has also been given quite a make-over with elegant instrument clusters that are easier to read plus a new 4.2-inch LCD multi-information display which offers details such as G-force readings, steering angles, brake force, lap times and a power/torque curve graph – all ‘must-have’ data in this type of car!

The latest steering wheel is smaller with new paddle shifts and a better grip, and should you forget what car you’re in, the BRZ logo is embroidered into the seats. And when you factor in an upgraded sound system and Subaru’s latest Starlink infotainment system with 6.2-inch touchscreen the BRZ 2+2 sports car is quite the complete package both inside and out.

There is room for a couple of passengers in the back of the car, but in true sports coupe tradition, space is very limited. But the seats are handy for dumping coats or bags and for more secure storage the boot has a capacity of 243 litres.

The BRZ is available in just one trim in the UK called SE Lux priced from £26,050, and it comes with either a manual or automatic gearbox. The car is powered by Subaru’s revised 2.0-litre 200PS Boxer engine which offers improved responsiveness, reduced emissions, less roll and better all-round ride and dynamics.

The vehicle can reach 62mph from a standing start in 7.6 seconds and tops out at 140mph (8.2 seconds and 130mph in the auto versions). Combined fuel economy is 36.2mpg with carbon emissions of 180g/km (39.8mpg and 164g/km auto).

The thought process behind the original BRZ was to build a back-to-basics sports car that delivered the purist handling possible for a complete driving experience. And it would be fair to say the car does just that.

I tested out the automatic model priced at £27,680 on a range of fast, twisting country lanes in the Cotswolds and the car lived up to all the big build up and hype.

The acceleration through the six-speed automatic box proved very swift and responsive and if you really want to up the thrills stakes, then use the paddle shifts. This allows the driver to control the gear changes for maximum acceleration and exhilarating dynamics.

The road-holding is super grippy with a little tail end movement when thrown over-enthusiastically into wet bends and the all-round ride and handling is everything you could ask for from a sports coupe. Admittedly, when driven hard it’s loud, bumpy and aggressive, but that is exactly what’s intended so it’s a job well done.

But then when you want to quieten things down for a more sedate mood, the BRZ can display its calmer and more refined side as it ambles effortlessly through the picturesque villages bustling with tourists who have one eye on their surroundings and the other on the car.

As one would expect, the BRZ is packed to bursting with safety features including Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control which constantly monitors steering angle, engine speed, gears and braking conditions to distribute torque to the appropriate wheel and optimises traction without hindering the driving experience. Other safety specifications include a retractable brake pedal mechanism, electronic brakeforce distribution, anti-lock brakes and a bonnet that has been designed to minimise pedestrian injury in the unfortunate event of a collision.

All in all, the BRZ really is the complete sports coupe package. It has the looks, the performance and all the attention-seeking charisma necessary. And for anyone wondering just what BRZ stands for – the ‘B’ is for Boxer, the ‘R’ is for Rear-wheel drive and the ‘Z’ is for Zenith.

Test Drive

Subaru BRZ 2.0i SE

IF you’re the sort of motorist who thrives on refinement, comfort, and a somewhat gentle driving experience, then stop reading right now!

That’s because the Subaru BRZ is everything but any of the above. It’s raspy, exhilarating, boasts blistering driving dynamics and delivers an edge-of-your-seat ride every time – guaranteed.

In fact, the sports coupe looks incredibly slick and the performance, for once, matches the appearance.

From the moment you lay eyes on the beautifully streamlined silhouette of the BRZ it’s very clear that this is no ordinary 2+2 seats sports car.

It features auto-levelling HID headlights, a long bonnet, twin tailpipes, 16-inch alloys, a rear fog lamp, a fin antenna and a rear spoiler.

The interior is simplistic and clutter-free in its lay-out, yet there is ample technology to be explored.

It includes the likes of a four-speaker sound system, supportive and body-hugging sports seats, electric windows, manual air conditioning and a multi-function display.

To be honest it all seems a little bit dated, but any such gripes are soon forgotten when the engine kicks in. It bursts into life with a roar and the audio just gets louder and louder.

Powered by a 2.0-litre 200PS petrol Boxer engine and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the Subaru BRZ is a car that needs and wants to be driven hard.

It delivers superb handling, gripping the road surface like glue with direct and very sharp, precise steering. And that means fast, open roads can be attacked with confidence as well as tight bends (the tighter the better!)

There is a gear shift prompt, but this only seems to light up when you need to change down in order to keep the revs high. It is one of the best cars to drive by sound alone – when the engine screams at you, then step up a gear – it’s that simple.

In and around town, it mooches along like a sulking teenager waiting to be set free. Then present the car with the open road and it takes full advantage of the opportunity. Factors like the bouncy ride, pretty poor visibility and lack of space in the back seats are quickly dismissed and easily compensated for by the BRZ’s superb driving performance.

It can sprint from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds, which may not sound that fast, but certainly feels it. It has a top speed of 143mph and according to official figures can deliver 40.9mpg on a combined run with emissions of 181g/km.

Obviously a car like the BRZ needs to be packed with safety features and it is. There are whiplash-reducing front seats, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, a brake assist system, brake override, front, side, curtain and knee airbags, a safety pedal system and plenty more besides.

The Subaru BRZ will not suit everyone, but for fun-seeking motorists who thrive on exciting driving, it ticks all the right boxes and the £22,495 price-tag is another notable plus point.