Has history ever taken your breath away? This one caught us by surprise because the Subaru BRZ was one of the first articles ever posted here on Autofluence. The model year 2013 was an introduction of two cars that shook up the automotive world. Toyota and Subaru worked together to develop the Scion FR-S and the Subaru BRZ. Scion may not be around anymore, but Subaru is still building these compact sports cars.
In the meantime, we spent a week with an automatic Scion FR-S back in 2013. The only real differences between the brands are in styling and tire width, so think Camaro vs Firebird. Several updates over the last few years have allowed the 2017 Subaru BRZ to offer a great blend of sport and style, but how does it feel in a daily driver scenario?
Ferrari FF Is A Fantastic Four
Our press car for the week arrived with a six-speed manual and a 2.0-liter flat four. We’re no stranger to the engine, as it was the power for our Wide Open Baja excursion two weeks ago. Instead of peak power or a broad torque curve, these tiny tykes offer a smooth response from idle to 7,400 rpm. At your command will be 200 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. In order to compete on the modern stage, the transmission has very close ratios and the differential has 4.10 gears. First gear is almost 3.7:1, which makes it feel like a granny-low. If you don’t like shifting, this isn’t the car for you.
The left pedal is not overly heavy, but the clutch engagement point is anything but consistent. Not only is the flywheel very light, the engine itself has featherweight pistons and rods. You won’t win any drag races in stock form, sorry. But if you challenge them to a road course, the BRZ comes alive. You are probably expecting meaty rubber in staggered sizes…You might be shocked to find four 215/45/17 tires. They may be only 8″ wide, but they work perfectly with the Sachs suspension. Even Miata owners have to recognize the potency of the Torsen differential.
With such a low center of gravity, the BRZ never complains in the corners. Does it need more power? Of course, but daily driving is rewarding for any motoring enthusiast. Fully loaded, the BRZ will set you back just over $30,000. It doesn’t break the bank, and the residual value to sports car enthusiasts makes a purchase or lease a smart move. Stay with us for all your Subaru and Toyota news & reviews.
