BRZ sportscar unveiled at Tokyo Show
Subaru has revealed its sportscar, the BRZ, at the Tokyo Motor Show.
The Subaru BRZ is a classic rear-wheel drive sports car featuring a horizontally-opposed Boxer engine. It was developed as a joint-project between Subaru and Toyota Motor Corporation, to bring to the world a sports coupe with superior steering response and driving pleasure that everyone can experience.
No decision has been made yet whether the car will be launched in New Zealand, where all Subarus have been All Wheel Drive since 1996.
The new rear-wheel drive compact sports car features a horizontally-opposed Boxer engine, enabling an ultra-low center of gravity – producing what Subaru describes as a “pure handling delight.”
The trade mark Subaru Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine has inherent qualities of a low centre of gravity, lightweight, and compactness. These attributes are maximised by placing this engine even lower and closer to the centre of the chassis to give a near ideal equal weight distribution front to rear of the 1220 kgs car.
The BRZ has a low driving position typical of a sports car. It has the low and wide body of a stylish coupe with overall height and width of 1,300 mm and 1,775 mm respectively. Yet, it allows for 2+2 seating and a luggage area with ample space. Not only is BRZ a sports car, but it can also be used for long journeys.
Subaru aimed for a sports car design that instinctively conveys its fun-to-drive character.
In addition, it was detailed to be instantly recognisable as a Subaru with a low bonnet design
and bulging front mudguards. The Subaru six-star badge, headlights and hexagon lower grille follow recent Subaru design language common across the Subaru range.
The low centre of gravity enhances BRZ’s sensuous beauty with its shapely fender flares.
As would be expected from a sports car, the front and rear overhangs were shortened to express BRZ’s liveliness. The car has a 2570 mm wheelbase and overall length of 4240 mm.
The interior features a small steering wheel to achieve sports car manoeuvrability. The tachometer with digitally-displayed speedometer is placed in the centre of the gauges so
the driver can instantly see information without diverting attention from the road.
Bespoke sports car seats were designed to hold the driver and passenger and feature
lowered sitting positions to match the ultra-low centre of gravity package.
Making full use of the design concept, the new-generation Boxer engine has a unique bore and stroke - 86mm x 86mm - from other two litre Subaru motors. It is made exclusively for the BRZ and is highly efficient with superior output and environmental friendliness. It has an exhilarating high revving nature of a naturally-aspirated sports engine.
Maximum power is 147 kWs with 205 Nm of torque.
The joint development with Toyota Motor Corporation has seen the use of Toyota’s direct injection and port injection technology D-4S on the cylinder heads. The engine as a whole has been made more compact by such means as adopting a shorter intake manifold and shallower oil pan.
The joy of sports car driving was attained through a transmission that focuses on shift feel and response. The 6-speed manual gearbox employs a short stroke shift lever. The lever was optimized in rigidity, shift quality and weight application in its pursuit of a superb shift feel.
A 6-speed automatic has sport mode for better shifting response and manual mode for optional shifting. Also, with the paddle shift and downshifting blipping control, this model can
respond faithfully to the driver’s inputs.
The lightweight yet highly-rigid body was developed exclusively to maximise the advantages of the ultra-low centre of gravity package. The body has a rigid and durable frame structure that also works in balance with the vehicle’s light weight. The rigidity is optimised for high driveability and appropriate durability is maintained for collision safety.
High tensile steel was used in the body for weight reduction. Effective use of this material in the upper structure of BRZ contributed to its low centre of gravity. An aluminium bonnet is used for lightness.
Excellent manoeuvrability and stability of the ultra-low centre of gravity package offers
direct and sharp response to steering and enhances the driver’s connection to the car.
The front suspension employs struts for light weight and high rigidity while a double
wishbone layout is adopted at the rear for better shock absorption. This mirrors the suspension components of the all new Impreza which will be launched in New Zealand in the second quarter of next year.
Seventeen inch alloy wheels are shod with 215/45R17 tyres. All BRZ models are equipped with electronic stability control to provide both driving pleasure and safety.
