"The last car that will be built will be a sports car," Ferry Porsche once speculated. A sports car, may one answer questioningly? More uncomfortable than a limousine, much less space than in a station wagon, with poorer visibility than in an SUV and more consumption than any compact car - should the last car come from this category? What we do with Subaru BRZ would be.
Our test car clearly belongs to the category of sports cars, but at least sports coupes. The 2 + 2-seater convinces with classic proportions: long bonnet, correspondingly set back driver's cab, crisp rear and low center of gravity. The look of the BRZ - especially here in the special paint Blue Pearl (550 euros) - raises expectations. Not only with us, by the way, because the fact that we get a "nice car" from the neighbor at the petrol station at the petrol station has not happened to us for a long time.
So far, so convincing. The first disillusionment occurs, however, when you have settled in the cockpit. It is permeated by the charm of the 90er years. We touch well-processed hard plastic and move chunky switches, for example, for the temperature setting. The start button - because the BRZ starts of course keyless - can be found only at second glance. The seats are great for that, even taller people can settle here.
Straight line, linear, predictable - that's how you could describe a ride in the Subaru. The 2,0-liter boxer engine does not need a turbo, but for speeds and hard-working, if you want to be really fast. The engine delivers modest 200 horsepower, which doesn't even feel that much in the lower and middle speed range. No wonder: 205 Newtonmeter maximum torque and also only at 6.400 RPM. The GT wants and needs to be actively driven.
And that's a lot of fun. Incidentally, more than cruising, because then the drive train tends to jerky and the somewhat tenacious six-speed gearshift is simply more noticeable when driving at a leisurely pace. The fact that the BRZ likes to extend the rear when approaching quickly or in curves is so wanted and fits perfectly with the concept, just as the entire vehicle tends to oversteer easily, but is always manageable. Besides, watching an ESP, if you overdo it. Did we mention that it is of course a rear-wheel drive? And not about what you would have expected with a Subaru, a four-wheel drive. Thank God, it would have made the vehicle heavier.
At 1.240 kilos, it is even light and there is no lack of driving pleasure. On the contrary: due to the 90s atmosphere and the high-revving suction cup, you almost fall into a fountain of youth. And such a car is then forgiven for its weaknesses. On the contrary, they make the sports coupe appealing compared to the perfect, but also technically cool and, of course, much more expensive Audi TT.
Speaking of expensive. The positive vehicle-driver ratio is strengthened by the pricing for the BRZ. The GT is indeed a fair offer. Subaru calls 31.500 Euro, but it already includes things like automatic climate control, xenon lights, a keyless entry system, 17 inch alloy wheels, cruise control, folding exterior mirrors and an audio system. All you have to do is order the special paint mentioned.
A word to the audio system. It is perhaps the least convincing part of the entire vehicle. Difficult to use, with poor radio reception - you might think that the designers didn't want to disturb the nostalgic ambience of the interior with a modern system. In fact, it is probably a subsequently installed part in Germany and, in our opinion, the only equipment feature that you could have done without.
Apart from that, the BRZ is a convincing offer for those who understand the existing weaknesses of the vehicle as part of the concept and take it into account. This Subaru requires the whole man or woman, it wants to be challenged and needs attention. There are other offers for softened braggart cruisers who mainly use their vehicle for a Saturday ride into the city center. But, if we disregard the identical Toyota GT86, no comparable.
Author: Peter Eck / SP-X
