The term driver’s car gets thrown around a lot. But what does it mean exactly? Well, a driver’s car is typically referred to as a motor you really need to ‘drive’ as opposed to one that merely delivers you thrills at the squeeze of an accelerator. That brings me on nicely to the BRZ.
Released back in 2012 – in a joint venture with the near-identical Toyota GT86 – the BRZ is a sporty rear-wheel drive coupe. It’s designed to give those after something like the Porsche Cayman a cheaper alternative. Due to its more affordable price tag, which starts from £22,500, the BRZ has limited performance capabilities – at least on paper anyway.
Fitted with a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated boxer petrol engine producing 197bhp, many petrol heads will wince at the mere fact there isn’t a turbo in sight. For that reason, the BRZ certainly has to be ‘driven’ and pushed to its limits for the driver to properly reap the benefits of what lies under its shell.
So what can it do performance wise? Well, floor it off the mark and it will hit 62mph in 7.6 seconds, which isn’t as nippy as the likes of the Ford Focus ST hot hatch (6.5 seconds), but it’s hardly slow. This sprint time is achieved when the 2.0-litre is mated to the six-speed manual gearbox.
There is a six-speed automatic available, but the manual allows for more driver involvement. The manual gearbox delivers an excellent mechanical feel as well, with snappy, accurate changes that remind us a little of the Mazda MX-5’s flick-wrist gearbox.
The engine note is also worth a mention. Due to its flat-four orientation, the engine emits a heady, throaty tone, which is rather satisfying to hear when you bounce the rev counter and hear it grow louder and louder. And you will need to rev it out (to around 7,000rpm) if you want to squeeze every inch of performance out of it.
It’s the BRZ’s ride and handling however that really stand out. The steering is extremely well-weighted, giving you enough weight to give a connected feel when snaking on a country road. Feedback is impressive, too. Thanks to the engine being mounted low in the car, it is also extremely well balanced. This becomes particularly apparent when you tuck its nose into an apex and feel the front-wheels grip without any signs that it might go into understeer.
Thanks to the ability to disable the Dynamic Control system, you can easily throw the back end out in true drifter style if you so desire – although we wouldn’t recommend executing such a move out of the Tesco car park.
The suspension is well balanced, too – firm enough to keep the car level in the corners but offering enough leeway to effectively mask bumps on B-roads.
The affordability aspect of the BRZ does become apparent at times, with a lack of cabin insulation at motorway speeds and some slight rattles and squeaks going on when you pick up speed – although the latter seems to become mute when you have a passenger with you. Not quite sure whether that is a reassuring thing.
Some may describe the BRZ’s interior as lacklustre and outdated, but it depends what way you look at it. If you are after a plush abode-style set-up then you may be disappointed. However, if you want a driver-orientated environment, then the BRZ will put a smile on your face.
The driving position of the BRZ is incredible, with a simplified layout and low positioned bucket seats, making you feel part of the action when on the road. Even the aviation-style toggles for the climate control make you feel like a fighter pilot. Yes, it does need a slight revamp when it comes to interior finish, but Subaru should be careful not to upset this perfect driving position.
It’s no secret that the BRZ is a little subdued when it comes to out-and-out performance. But what it lacks in face-trembling G force, it makes up for in engaging driving dynamics.
