MODEL Subaru BRZ two-door coupe. PRICING BRZ manual $38,990 (plus ORC), S model adds $1,200, auto with EyeSight adds $3,800 to both models. DRIVETRAIN 2.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder (Boxer) engine, six-speed manual or auto, rear-wheel drive. Normal, TCS Off, Track and VDC Off drive modes. FUEL 50-litre tank, 98-RON premium unleaded, 8.8 (auto) to 9.5 (manual) litres per 100km (combined test). WARRANTY/SERVICING Five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, five-year 75,000km capped servicing and 12-month roadside assist.
M MOTORING Jim Barnett
Subaru BRZ An initial allocation of 500 improved Subaru BRZs to Australia has already sold out. Aside from the yet-to-arrive updated Toyota 86 (late 2022), a handful of hot hatches and the Mazda MX-5, there’s no real competition. The new BRZ offers better performance and handling. A new 2.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder Boxer engine brings a substantial increase in power and torque. Under-the-skin changes and the extensive use of aluminium panels has lowered its centre of gravity and improved torsional stiffness and rigidity. Its classic long bonnet, sloping roof and coupe styling remain, but most panels have been tweaked a little. Bulging rear guards, sporty sill panels, a shark-fin antenna, dual exhausts and new 10-spoke gunmetal grey alloy wheels shod with low-profile Michelin Pilot tyres all add to its appeal. 32
Police Journal
No competition
DESIGN AND FUNCTION
Inside, it’s compact and driver-focused. Both front seats offer excellent support with plenty of side bolstering. The rear seat (not much legroom here) easily drops flat to enhance cargo space which is shallow owing to a full-size spare wheel. Cloth trim in the standard model gives way to suede and leather with frontseat heaters on the S variant. A central eight-inch touchscreen features DAB radio, reverse camera, sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless Bluetooth streaming. Manual BRZ gets seven airbags and tyre-pressure, blind-spot, lane-change and rear cross-traffic monitoring. The auto picks up paddle shifters, highbeam assist, reverse auto braking and the Subaru EyeSight driver-assistance safety package.
DRIVING Keyless entry and push-button start feature along with a supportive driver’s seat which has manual-only adjustment including height. The small leather-
wrapped steering wheel is reach and rake adjustable with buttons for trip computer, audio and phone. A customizable seven-inch digital instrument cluster with large central tacho and digital speedo keeps drivers informed. It also displays trip-computer, g-force, lap-timer and safety information. The new 2.4 Boxer makes a usable 175kW of power at 7,000rpm and 250Nm of torque at 3,700rpm. With a kerb weight of around 1,300kg, rear-wheel drive and low centre of gravity, BRZ is fantastic to drive. Power delivery is superb. The engine will freely spin to redline, the auto delivers quick changes, and the acoustically enhanced exhaust sounds just right. The Michelins grip well but send out plenty of road noise on coarse bitumen. MacPherson Strut front and doublewishbone rear suspension offer superb corner control and big brake rotors provide excellent braking even though the pedal feels quite firm.
