Subaru BRZ - return to the exciting past
Subaru BRZ is built according to a wonderful recipe - low, almost perfectly distributed weight combined with rear-wheel drive. The car is an unforgettable experience and a reason to rejoice every time the Boxer comes to life under the hood.
When writing about the Subaru BRZ, it is impossible not to mention ... Toyota Corolla. It's hard to believe, but in the eighties of the last century, the most famous Toyota model was offered as a coupe, had rear-wheel drive, and thanks to its light weight and frisky engine won the recognition of many drivers. . The cult of "86" (or simply "Hachi-Roku") was so great that the car even became the hero of the cartoon "Initial D".
In 2007, the first information appeared about a small sports coupe that Toyota was working on with Subaru. This was great news for almost all car lovers. When the FT-HS and FT-86 concepts were unveiled, one could immediately guess what historical roots Toyota wanted to return to. The company under the sign of the Pleiades took care of the preparation of the boxer-type unit. In the offer of a brand known for its 4x4 system, a rear-wheel drive car looks somewhat unnatural. However, that doesn't mean it's bad.
The BRZ and GT86 are sold all over the world, so their styling is a compromise. The differences between them (and the Scion FR-S, because the car is produced under this name in the USA) are cosmetic and are limited to modified bumpers, headlights and wheel arch details - Subaru has fake air intakes, while Toyota has an “86” badge. The long bonnet and short rear are to your liking, and the massive fenders visible from the cabin are reminiscent of a Cayman's Porsche. The icing on top of the cake is glass without frames. Taillights are the most controversial and not everyone will like them. But it's not about looks!
Sitting in the Subaru BRZ requires some gymnastics as the seat is very low - it feels like we're sitting on the pavement with other road users looking down on us. The seats are tight to the body, the handbrake lever is perfectly placed, as is the shift lever, which becomes an extension of the right hand. It is immediately felt that the most important thing is the experience of the driver. Before we press the engine start/stop button and the instrument panel with the centrally mounted tachometer lights up red, it's worth taking a look around the interior.
It appears that two groups worked on this project. One decided to decorate the interior with beautiful leather inserts with red stitching, while the other abandoned all amenities and settled on cheap plastic. The contrast is high, but nothing bad can be said about the quality of fitting individual elements. The car is tough, but we won’t hear any pops or other disturbing sounds, even when driving over transverse bumps, which is painful for the driver.
The lack of power seats does not interfere with finding a comfortable driving position. In Subaru's small interior, all buttons are within easy reach. However, there are not so many of them - several “flight” switches and three air conditioner knobs. The radio looks dated (and highlighted in green), but offers the option to plug in a music stick.
If you plan to use the Subaru BRZ on a daily basis, I will answer right away - you better forget about it. Rear visibility is symbolic, and the manufacturer does not offer cameras and even reverse sensors. Transport options are very limited. Despite the fact that the car is designed for 4 people, the presence of seats in the second row should be treated only as a curiosity. If necessary, we can carry a maximum of one passenger. The trunk has a volume of 243 liters, which is enough for small purchases. Larger items cannot overcome the barrier of the small loading opening. It is worth noting that the tailgate is mounted on telescopes, so we do not lose space, as with conventional hinges.
But let's leave the interior behind and focus on the driving experience. We press the button, the starter "spins" a little longer than usual, and the exhaust pipes with a diameter of 86 millimeters (coincidence?) first emit a puff, and after a while a pleasant, bass rumbling. Low vibrations are transmitted through the seat and steering wheel.
Subaru BRZ is offered with only one engine - a two-liter boxer engine that develops 200 horsepower and 205 Nm of torque in the range from 6400 to 6600 rpm. The motor becomes ready to drive only after exceeding the value of 4000 rpm, while making relatively pleasant sounds. However, they become a hindrance when driving on the highway, because at a speed of 140 km / h the tachometer shows 3500 rpm. Combustion in such conditions is about 7 liters, and in the city Subaru will consume 3 liters more.
200 horsepower allows you to disperse Subaru to "hundreds" in just under 8 seconds. Is this result disappointing? BRZ is not a sprinter and is not designed to take off from under the headlights. Sure, most hot hatch models boast higher prices, but they generally don't offer rear-wheel drive. It is difficult to find a car in this group that delivers so much pleasure and positive driving experience. The work of Subaru and Toyota is a different car recipe. The result of this collaboration is a car that will appeal to cornering enthusiasts.
The first few kilometers I had to drive during peak hours in the city. It wasn't a perfect start. The clutch is very short, it works "zero-one", and the positions of the gear levers differ by millimeters. Its use requires great strength. Without developing high speed, I had to overcome several obstacles typical for the city - pits, manholes and tram tracks. Let's just say I still remember their shape and depth very well.
However, when I managed to leave the city, the disadvantages turned into advantages. The center of gravity of the Subaru BRZ is lower than that of the Ferrari 458 Italia and the weight is 53/47. Almost perfect. The direct and relatively hard-working steering system conveys a huge amount of information. The hard-tuned suspension gives you good control. That's a good thing, because the rear-wheel drive BRZ loves to "sweep" the rear.
It doesn't take much effort to oversteer, and you don't even have to wait for rain. Regardless of the conditions, Subaru is constantly trying to entertain the driver. If our skills are not too great, we can still afford it. The traction control is finely tuned and reacts very late. Having gained more experience, we can of course turn it off by holding the corresponding button for 3 seconds.
To become the owner of a Subaru BRZ, you need to spend about PLN 124. For a few thousand more, we'll get an extra shpera. Prices for the deuce Toyota GT000 are comparable, but it can be additionally equipped with navigation. If the only thing stopping you from buying this car is the time to "hundreds", I can only assume that the tuning possibilities for these cars are huge, and at least one turbocharger will easily fit under the hood of a Subaru BRZ.
