The all-new Subaru BRZ has been revealed with a bigger engine, power bump (170kW/249Nm) and a body that’s 50% stiffer than the old car.
Watch the reveal of the all-new Subaru BRZ:
The rumour mill had the new Subaru BRZ lobbing with a turbocharged engine but that’s not the case. Subaru has revealed its all-new BRZ although Subaru Oz hasn’t yet confirmed a launch date for the second-gen Toyota 86 twin.
Okay, so we won’t get a turbo engine but the 2.4-litre four-cylinder has been poked and prodded (read: enhanced intake and exhaust efficiency and reduced friction) liberating more torque (15% more torque). All up, you’ll have 170kW (up from 147/152kW) and 249Nm (up from 212Nm) of torque…shame they couldn’t get to 250Nm. Weird.
Subaru reckons the tweaked engine “provides stronger acceleration and a noticeable power increase”. While purists will still opt for the six-speed manual, those plumping for a six-speed automatic will find an improved Sport mode which will ‘detect’ if the driver is getting jiggy and hold the gear for longer.
The platform is largely the same as before but Subaru reckons its engineers have applied learnings from the development of the Subaru Global Platform, like “inner frame construction and structural adhesive application”. What this gobbledegook means is that the BRZ’s body is now 60% stiffer at the front with a 50% increase in overall torsional stiffness.
The use of aluminium for the roof, front guards and bonnet offsets the weight gains from the larger engine and according to Subaru lowers the centre of gravity.
On the inside, there’s now a seven-inch digital instrument cluster and an eight-inch infotainment screen with Apple and Android connectivity. There are new, more heavily bolstered seats too.
Subaru Australia hasn’t said when we can expect to see the new BRZ Down Under but it’ll come, make no mistake. Accompanying the reveal, Subaru Australia General Manager, Blair Read, said: “It’s tremendously exciting to get these first glimpses into second generation BRZ.
“This car gave the whole sports segment a massive shake when it originally launched in 2012 and based on what we know so far about the second generation, we’ve got very high hopes for its ongoing appeal in Australia.”
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