2013 SUBARU BRZ SPORTS CAR MAKES U.S. DEBUT
AT NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
The all-new, rear-wheel drive Subaru BRZ sports car made its United
States debut today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The
BRZ delivers pinpoint handling precision and an unmatched driving experience
for sports car enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Subaru developed the BRZ with the fundamental of sports car design in
mind: low vehicle weight, an ultra-low center of gravity and precision
steering. Utilizing Subaru’s naturally aspirated 200 horsepower horizontally
opposed (Boxer) engine design is a sports car that does not sacrifice everyday
comfort and practicality. With 2+2 seating and folding rear seats, cargo space
is sufficient to transport four race tires and tools to track days. Combined
with the Subaru brand’s renowned safety and quality, the BRZ is a sports car
with practicality as well as performance.
The recent sports car trend has been to focus on “ultimate” power,
luxury and performance. As a result, many sports cars have grown heavier and
more expensive. Seeking a pure sports car for road and track driving Subaru
followed a purist approach to engineering the 2013 BRZ.
Using a large proportion of high-tensile steel, with aluminum for the
hood, the 2013 Subaru BRZ weighs an estimated 2,762 pounds for the U.S
production models, making it the lightest
closed rear-wheel drive sports car in the U.S. market todayThe BRZ weighs about
160 pounds less than the Porsche Cayman, about
300 pounds less than the Lotus Evora and is more
than 500 pounds lighter than a Hyundai Genesis coupe.
To give the handling superiority the Subaru BRZ delivers one of the
lowest centers of gravity of any production car in the world at just 18.1
inches. The Subaru Boxer engine design, with its
inherently low height and its mass concentrated low in the package, contributes
to a low center of gravity in all Subaru models. A rear-wheel drive
configuration allows placement of the engine lower and farther back in the BRZ
than in any other Subaru model in order to attain the best possible center of
gravity and polar moment of inertia. Compared to the all-new Subaru Impreza,
Subaru states, the BRZ’s Boxer engine sits 9.5 inches farther back. Moving the engine closer to the center of the
chassis also helped make the BRZ itself quite compact, at just 166.7 inches long on a 101.2-inch wheelbase.
The all-new Subaru FA-Series 2.0-liter Boxer engine was engineered
specifically for the BRZ to help achieve the car’s “ultra-low center of gravity
package.” The engine was made more compact than the FB 2.0-liter Impreza engine
by such means as developing a shorter intake manifold and a shallower oil pan.
Compared to the FB 2.0-liter engine in the Subaru Impreza, the engine in the
BRZ is mounted about 2.4 inches lower, but due to the engine’s lower overall
height it sits 5 inches lower overall. In
addition, under-hood components were located to optimize the car’s balance,
including tilting the radiator back 17 degrees and moving the battery to the
back of the engine compartment.
The Subaru BRZ is powered by the FA-Series Boxer engine that is not
shared with other Subaru models. Fundamental to true sports car character, the
2.0-liter engine combines light weight with high strength, high compression and
high-revving responsiveness. The 4-2-1 exhaust exits with dual outlets, and the
system has been tuned for a throaty sound.
The Subaru BRZ engine has a true “square” architecture, meaning that its
bore and stroke dimensions are each the same, in this case 3.38 inches (86mm).
That gives the BRZ engine a quick-revving nature, with a 7,400-rpm redline.
Yet, the engine’s broad torque curve, which peaks at an estimated 150 lb.-ft.
and offers a strong midrange, makes the BRZ feel responsive in daily driving.
The Subaru BRZ Boxer engine employs the Toyota D-4S fuel injection
system, which uniquely combines direct injection and port injection technology.
A direct-type fuel-injection system, which sprays fuel directly into the combustion
chambers rather than upstream into the ports, provides a cooling effect in the
cylinders. That enables use of a very high compression ratio (12.5:1 for the
Subaru BRZ engine) to extract maximum energy from the fuel. In light- and
medium-load conditions, the system’s port fuel injectors help produce precise
combustion, increasing performance and efficiency.
Customers can choose between a new six-speed manual and optional
six-speed automatic transmission in the 2013 Subaru BRZ. Both transmissions have
been engineered and tuned to maximize performance and driving feel. The
six-speed manual presents the driver with a short-throw shift lever, and the
pedals have been optimized for “heel-and-toe” downshifting. Triple-cone
synchronizers on first through third gears help ensure durability. Clutch
effort and pedal rake, as well, have been tuned to make this an ideal sports
car manual shift.
The optional paddle-shift six-speed automatic transmission offers
no-compromise performance in the Subaru BRZ. The driver can select Sport mode
from a switch on the center console for quicker, firmer automatic shifts. Or,
the driver can move the console mounted shifter from “D” to “M” and then shift
manually using the shifter handle or the steering wheel paddle shifters.
Downshift blipping control enhances the more direct sports car experience.
The Subaru BRZ is built on an entirely new platform and shares just a
few parts with other Subaru models, but shares suspension architecture with the
new Impreza and WRX STI. Effective use of high-tensile steel in the car’s upper
structure contributes to its low center of gravity. Chassis tuning takes
maximum advantage of the BRZ’s ultra-low center of gravity and high-strength
body structure.
The front suspension uses struts and coil springs to keep weight low.
The front struts were mounted low and optimized for a low hood line while
retaining a long stroke for ideal handling and ride quality. The new, exclusively designed double-wishbone
rear suspension system provides outstanding bump absorption to enhance tire
grip over varied surfaces. Electric power steering, which reduces weight and
load on the engine compared to hydraulic power steering, has been tuned for
excellent feedback. Subaru states that the quick 13:1 steering ratio and 14.4-inch
diameter steering wheel endow the Subaru BRZ with extremely quick steering
response.
The BRZ, employs the brand’s proven Ring Shaped Reinforcement Frame body
structure for occupant safety. Giving the BRZ a stiff body structure and
ultra-low center of gravity allowed Subaru to tune the suspension for both
agility and compliant ride quality. That tuning, along with the car’s low
weight, allowed Subaru to specify 215/45R17 tires that reduce wheel/tire weight
and therefore unsprung weight. A standard Torsen limited-slip
differential helps the inside wheel maintain traction during hard cornering.
For track driving, the standard Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) stability and
traction system offers the driver five different settings.
The Subaru engineering that yields the ultra-low center of gravity in
the BRZ also made it easy for designers to craft a very low-slung coupe body. A
low height of just 50.6 inches, combined with a swept-back roofline, bulging
front fenders, short overhangs and pronounced rear haunches give the BRZ a
decidedly lean, athletic stance. The BRZ is a classic GT-type sports cars without
resorting to “retro” design cues. At the same time, the car’s hawk eye
headlights, hexagonal lower grille and six-star ornament instantly convey
Subaru identity.
The Subaru BRZ focus is on driver involvement through easy-to-use
controls. The bolstered front sport seats were designed just for this car. The
driver faces an easy-to-see instrument panel featuring a large, center-mounted
tachometer with an analog speedometer to its left. The tachometer integrates a
digital speedometer, and the fuel and temperature gauges are positioned to the
right of the tachometer.
The one-piece rear seatback lowers to expand the space offered in the
6.9 cubic-foot trunk. With the seatback down, the cargo area can hold two
standard golf bags. Drivers who enjoy slalom or track events can also fold the
rear seatback and have room for four wheels, a helmet and basic supplies and
still have room for the front passenger.
We hope to drive the BRZ soon to report on what Subaru claims to be one
of the finest sports car ever built. Certainly looks like a Supercar!
Bruce Hubbard
Bonnie Lynch
Brad Hubbard
Auto Advisor Group
Autoadvisorgroup.blogspot.com
PHOTOS BY BRUCE HUBBARD
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