We review the Subaru BRZ from price to economy and all its features
THE Toyota GT86 has been one of the stars of 2012 – but it has a “twin” that is motoring’s best-kept secret.
Which is unfair because the Subaru BRZ is every bit as good as the GT86.
Subaru also delivered two of the key elements in the joint venture with Toyota.
The 2litre Boxer engine that powers both models is Subaru’s, with fuel injection technology from Toyota.
And the brilliant chassis that gives both cars their outstanding road holding is also from Subaru — so they definitely deserve plenty of credit.
If you go for the Subaru over the Toyota, you’ll also be part of a much more exclusive owners’ club.
Toyota are looking to sell 5,000 GT86s in a full year, whereas the BRZ is limited to a few hundred, even though they are priced exactly the same.
It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that the BRZ is a cracking car — Subaru have a reputation for delivering mainstream performance cars such as the iconic Impreza WRX STI.
But the current WRX now starts at a steep £32,995, which is where the BRZ comes in. With prices starting at £24,995, it’s a more affordable, sporty proposition. It may lack the supercar performance of the WRX STI, but it’s big on entertainment value.
The 0-62mph figures from the 2litre turbo may look ordinary at 7.6 seconds, as does 143mph top speed. But it feels a lot faster. And you will like the fuel economy figure of 40mpg.
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The BRZ also sounds the business — more throaty than the Toyota, with a deeper, rasping engine note which adds to the fun factor. But the trump card is the fantastic road holding — and given conditions when I was testing it, I found it’s one of those rare cars that handles just as well in the wet, sticking to the road like glue.
The steering is pin-sharp and instantly responsive but, unlike some performance cars, never twitchy. It’s a car that feels reassuringly planted the faster you go.
On the inside, it’s the same as the Toyota apart from different badges and trim. It’s a typically dark Japanese affair, lightened by mock aluminium trim.
The SE Lux top-of-the-range version I tested costs £26,495 and has leather sports seats that are supremely comfortable, plus a leather steering wheel and drilled aluminium pedals.
You also get 17in alloy wheels, dual zone air-con, keyless entry and a higher-grade music system.
But you won’t be buying the BRZ for its gadgets or music system — this is a driver’s car you buy for the pure fun of the ride.
And you won’t buy it for the back-seat space. The two bucket seats are strictly for extra luggage or tiny kids.
The BRZ is a coupe for enthusiasts who love driving.
It’s a back-to-basics sports car that is affordable and exclusive, which should see Subaru with a waiting list for one of the unheralded motoring stars of 2012.