Subaru BRZ, 2013: Toyota, Subaru team to offer gifted sports coupe

The 2013 Subaru BRZ is the real deal. After  two days of driving the 200 horsepower rear-wheel drive sport coupe on the street and at the race track, there is no doubt Subaru's new sport coupe is gifted with exceptional balance and poise.

The BRZ is a rear-wheel drive sports coupe that came about as a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru. The manufactuers' design focus was to engineer a sports coupe with a low center of gravity, light weight and precision handling. The results are two affordable sports coupes that attain their design goals and exceed expectations.

The BRZ (like the Scion FR-S) is propelled by a 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter direct-injected horizontally opposed ('flat') four-cylinder engine, with rear-wheel drive and a Torsen limited-slip differential. For track driving, the standard Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) stability and traction system offers the driver five different settings.

Featuring an all-new Subaru Boxer engine not shared with any other Subaru models, the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine combines low weight with high strength, high compression and high-revving responsiveness. With a 7,400 rpm redline, the engine delivers 200 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 150 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 6,400 rpm.

Integrated into the new Boxer engine is Toyota's fuel injection system that uniquely combines direct injection and port injection technology. This enables a high 12.5:1 compression ratio to extract maximum energy from the fuel, while delivering impressive fuel economy and ultra-low emissions.

That Boxer engine is mounted at the lowest possible point on a specially designed sub-frame which forms an "ultra-low center of gravity package." A low driving position is achieved with this arrangement and further enhances the sports car ethos of the BRZ.

If you think driving a sports car means sacrificing daily comfort and practicality, think again. The BRZ has excellent driving dynamics on bumpy roads without the ultra-stiff ride. Dropping the rear seats gives you enough space to fit four wheels /tires and a set of tools for track day.

Source: theweeklydriver.com