Subaru News: Subaru Planning A Faster BRZ

[William Maley]

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

March 28, 2012

At last years L.A. Auto Show, Subaru showed the BRZ STI concept. The car was outfitted with a aero package, larger 18-inch wheels, high-performance tires, a massive rear spoiler, and a carbon fiber roof. It was their way of previewing a faster BRZ. Now, Subaru is planning one.

Auto Express spoke with Subaru global marketing manager Atoshi Atake during the BRZ global launch. Atake said there has been many requests for a more powerful model.

"We have already had many requests from interested customers regarding a faster version. Let me say this - we will certainly satisfy our customers. We are already working on a faster version."

You might think Subaru would use a turbocharger to increase the power in the BRZ. Atake says no because there is no space for an intercooler in the engine bay.

"Plus, we want to keep turbocharging separate. It is for models like the WRX STI. The same goes for four-wheel drive. We could not make the BRZ four-wheel drive even if we wanted to."

Also out of the cards is supercharging due to how much more fuel it would use.

Instead, Subaru will improve the intake manifold, exhaust, and the engine's variable valve control system.

Source: Auto Express

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[David]

Why Do I get the feeling we could see a BRZ to compete with the best Mustang and Camero on the road today in the near future? Me think the Asians have their own Pony war ready to explode.

[Robert Hall]

Why Do I get the feeling we could see a BRZ to compete with the best Mustang and Camaro on the road today in the near future? Me think the Asians have their own Pony war ready to explode.

Maybe, but it's an apples v oranges comparison..this is a much smaller, lighter car...different niche.

[Drew Dowdell]

If Ford were to try to compete with this, they'd need to bring back the Probe. GM would need to bring back Kappa.

Mustang and Camaro are in a different class.

That said, I can't wait to drive one of these.

[Robert Hall]

If Chevy did build something like the Code 130R, though, that could potentially compete w/ the BRZ....though it would probably be 500 lbs heavier..

[David]

If Chevy did build something like the Code 130R, though, that could potentially compete w/ the BRZ....though it would probably be 500 lbs heavier..

Why do you think it would be 500lbs heavier?

Over all dimensions which I should have looked at does show you would need to the Prob and the Code 130R to compete, but WOW, if you had a twin scroll Turbo 4 banger with a 7 Speed Tranny, you could have a very fun pocket rocket with awesome gas milage.

[Robert Hall]

If Chevy did build something like the Code 130R, though, that could potentially compete w/ the BRZ....though it would probably be 500 lbs heavier..

Why do you think it would be 500lbs heavier?

I doubt GM could make a compact RWD model under 3000lbs...I suspect the small Alphas will be more like 3400-3500lbs...

[David]

If Chevy did build something like the Code 130R, though, that could potentially compete w/ the BRZ....though it would probably be 500 lbs heavier..

Why do you think it would be 500lbs heavier?

I doubt GM could make a compact RWD model under 3000lbs...I suspect the small Alphas will be more like 3400-3500lbs...

So hedging your bets unless the new tie up culd help produce a sub 3K lb car.

[regfootball]

saw the BRZ and FT at the auto show. to me, they look cheap and dated. they look more interesting in pictures than they do in the flesh. Interior looked cheap through the window, and uninteresting.

Nowhere near as cool as a Solstice......

[Drew Dowdell]

If Chevy did build something like the Code 130R, though, that could potentially compete w/ the BRZ....though it would probably be 500 lbs heavier..

Why do you think it would be 500lbs heavier?

I doubt GM could make a compact RWD model under 3000lbs...I suspect the small Alphas will be more like 3400-3500lbs...

What are you calling small? You just named the weight range for the ATS sedan.

[Robert Hall]

If Chevy did build something like the Code 130R, though, that could potentially compete w/ the BRZ....though it would probably be 500 lbs heavier..

Why do you think it would be 500lbs heavier?

I doubt GM could make a compact RWD model under 3000lbs...I suspect the small Alphas will be more like 3400-3500lbs...

What are you calling small? You just named the weight range for the ATS sedan.

I was thinking of something the size of the Code 130R, if they did something like that...

[smk4565]

They need a faster version of the BRZ, that 2 liter doesn't have much muscle.

[Robert Hall]

They need a faster version of the BRZ, that 2 liter doesn't have much muscle.

It's not a muscle car. The performance numbers from what I've read is comparable to the Miata.

[dwightlooi]

A supercharger will fit where the intake plenum currently is. The H4 is actually pretty low, so there's plenty of room on top for an air-to-water aftercooler. It won't be as efficient as a turbo, but there will be no lag whatsoever. Should be able to hit 230~240hp easily, but more importantly Torque will crest 200 lb-ft and will peak much lower.

[David]

I think there will be plenty of ways to make this little car fly wih after market parts.

[Drew Dowdell]

If Chevy did build something like the Code 130R, though, that could potentially compete w/ the BRZ....though it would probably be 500 lbs heavier..

Why do you think it would be 500lbs heavier?

I doubt GM could make a compact RWD model under 3000lbs...I suspect the small Alphas will be more like 3400-3500lbs...

What are you calling small? You just named the weight range for the ATS sedan.

I was thinking of something the size of the Code 130R, if they did something like that...

So... just how much do you expect the Code 130R to weigh if the ATS Sedan is 3400lbs?

[Robert Hall]

So... just how much do you expect the Code 130R to weigh if the ATS Sedan is 3400lbs?

I don't know...maybe 3000-3200? I had assumed the ATS sedan would be 3500 or more, but if it's 3400 that's good...GM isn't known for lightweight, that's why I'm skeptical..anyway, it's all academic as we have no idea if anything like the 130R will be built...

[Drew Dowdell]

So... just how much do you expect the Code 130R to weigh if the ATS Sedan is 3400lbs?

I don't know...maybe 3000-3200? I had assumed the ATS sedan would be 3500 or more, but if it's 3400 that's good...GM isn't known for lightweight, that's why I'm skeptical..anyway, it's all academic as we have no idea if anything like the 130R will be built...

Don't assume... look up the numbers. The ATS is the lightest car in its class at just under 3400lbs on the base model.

[SAmadei]

Don't worry, the 2nd gen ATS will start to put the fat on again. ;-)

[Drew Dowdell]

Don't worry, the 2nd gen ATS will start to put the fat on again. ;-)

It might gain small amount of weight, but I think all manufacturers, not just GM, have gotten religion about vehicle weight.

[David]

Don't worry, the 2nd gen ATS will start to put the fat on again. ;-)

It might gain small amount of weight, but I think all manufacturers, not just GM, have gotten religion about vehicle weight.

Why would we not see GM push out using lighter high strength frames and body composite panels to reduce weight. I think over the next 10 years that we could see as much as 500lbs dropped in auto's due to the use of composite and lightweight high strength steel.

[SAmadei]

It might gain small amount of weight, but I think all manufacturers, not just GM, have gotten religion about vehicle weight.

Then the car will lose popularity over time. Most cars grow because the buyers want more space... sure, people talk lightweight and tiny, but after owning such cars, they crave space. With space comes weight.

[A Horse With No Name]

I can't wait to drive one of these...and it's quickly becomi9ng my vehicle of lust. Local Subie dealer has sold out of the entire 2012 production run of them...already....