Subaru BRZ

Subaru BRZ 2013 To Handle Like No Other?

Brace yourselves as Subaru is about to unveil the latest 2013 rear-wheel drive BRZ sports car. Day and place – as soon as the NAIAS in Detroit kicks off. Baring the typical Subaru pedigree, the BRZ spirit will be all about handling. Sales are expected to start late at Spring.

So why not AWD like most Subarus out there? Well, to achieve exceptional handling, Subaru engineers have figured that they need the lowest center of gravity achievable. Therefore an AWD system was deemed too complex and restrictive while with a RWD system the engine can be mounted pretty low. The whole car weights no more than 2,700 lbs and it will be powered by a 2.0 liter, 200 horsepower, 7400 rpm doomsday device. And because it is a compact flat (boxer) engine, technicians have the freedom to put it where they want it to in order to achieve perfect weight distribution and center of gravity.

The slippery looks scream of racing genes all around – 50.6 inches of height, a sloping roof line, miss maxi type fenders and short overhangs. Don’t despair though, because Subaru promise everyday practicality to go along with the lunacy – seating for four, handy boot space and generic passenger safeness.

It’s an ambitious project this but we are definitely ready to fall in love. For we play the waiting game.

Source: Subaru

January 6, 2012

Scion FR-S

Scion has announced the 2013 FR-S, which looks a lot like Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ. Moreover, the new model will be powered by the same 2.0 liter Subaru Boxer engine with 200PS (147 kW) and 205Nm (151 lb-ft) of torque.

2013 Scion FR-S can be opted with either 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The car is designed entirely to bring supreme driving pleasure and this is for sure, especially with a 53 to 47 front-to-rear weight ratio.

Still, the FR-S is not exactly the same as the GT 86. The headlights don’t have integrated LEDs, fog lights in the front bumper and the color of the indicators is different. Lastly, the FR-S comes with different alloy wheels.

The interior of 2013 FR-S has features different air conditioning dials on the center console and a CD, instead of SAT NAV system. The steering wheel is different, too.

Practically, this is the same car, but with different badges and lower price.

Source: Scion

December 9, 2011

The new Subaru BRZ is developed as a joint-project between Subaru and Toyota Motor Corporation. Their goal was to bring to the world a sports car with superior steering response and driving pleasure that everyone can experience. Subaru BRZ is a rear-wheel drive sports car featuring the Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine. This engine was positioned even lower than other Subaru models. The reason for this is that the low center of gravity produces astonishing handling character and combined with a light-weight chassis.

“Pure Handling Delight” is what the new Subaru BRZ is all about. As mentioned already the Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine has special qualities, because of its low center of gravity, lightweight, and compactness. The Subaru BRZ is a fascinating sports car that we assure you you’ll enjoy to drive!

The specific position of the engine is mounted on a specially designed sub-frame that forms an “ultra-low center of gravity package”. The benefits of this are that the BRZ now achieves a low driving position typical for sports car. Furthermore the overall height of Subaru BRZ is 1,300 mm and it has a wide and low body of a stylish coupe at 1775mm. However, it still allows for 2+2 seating and a trunk with sufficient space. Therefore you can use this stunning BRZ as a sport car, as well as a safe companion for long tours.

The new Subaru’s Exterior aims for a sports car, but of course the design was detailed to be instantly recognizable as a Subaru. For example the front fascia has a low hood design. On the other hand the Subaru’s identity is represented by the Subaru six-star ornament, headlights and hexagon lower grille which are common elements across other new models. The aesthetic beauty of the car is combined with functional one. What I mean is that improvements are made in the aerodynamics through C-pillar shape, rear glass inclination, trunk lid layout. Moreover the front and rear overhangs are shortened to express the Subaru BRZ’s liveliness. In addition the design of the rear fascia is so perfectly that puts more on the beauty of the BRZ’s rear view.

What about the interior? The aim here is under the motto “driver and vehicle as one”. This is made possible through the carefully designed details of the new Subaru BRZ. For instance, the steering wheel is made smaller to achieve sports car maneuverability. Next, a tachometer with digitally displayed speedometer is placed in the center of the gauges. In this way the driver can instantly see information without diverting attention from the road.

What is more important and more interesting here are the innovations made in the newly developed engine. It is not only highly efficient with superior output, but also environmentally friendly. It realizes an exhilarating high revving nature of a naturally aspirated sports engine. The engine of new generation has a square bore and stroke of 86 x 86 mm. Toyota’s direct injection and port injection technology “D-4S” was incorporated in the Subaru BRZ’s power unit (don’t forget that it is a joint-project). The highlight here is put on the achievement of an “ultra-low center of gravity package”. This is made possible because of the compactness of the engine.

The joy of sports car driving is achieved through a transmission that focuses on shift feel and response. The 6-speed MT employs a short stroke shift lever, which is optimized in rigidity, shift quality and weight application in its pursuit of a superb shift feel. And to be more precise the he 6-speed AT has “S mode” for better shifting response and “M mode” for optional shifting. Moreover, with the paddle shift and downshifting blipping control, this model can respond faithfully to the driver’s inputs.

The lightweight yet highly-rigid body is of course developed to maximize the advantages of the “ultra-low center of gravity package”. This has been achieved through a durable frame structure which also works in balance with the vehicle’s light-weight. And for the collision safety the new Subaru BRZ is optimized for high drivability and appropriate durability. The light weight of the body is achieved thank to the tensile steel. This material is also used in the upper structure of the Subaru BRZ, and again this contributes to its low center of gravity.

At last, but not least is to be highlighted the chassis of the car. Excellent maneuverability and stability is what is of importance here. This offers a direct and sharp response to the steering and enhances driver’s connection to the car. At one hand the front suspension employs struts for light-weight and high rigidity. On the other hand the double wishbone layout is adopted at the rear for better shock absorption.

The tires used in the brand new Subaru BRZ are 215/45R17. They are combined with lightweight and highly rigid aluminum wheels.

All models of Subaru BRZ are equipped with electronic stability control in order to provide both driving pleasure and safety.

Source: Subaru

November 29, 2011

Subaru BRZ STi Concept

Subaru has unveiled the BRZ STI Concept at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. The sports vehicle come with RWD and it is co-developed with Toyota Motor Corporation.

The car is designed for “Pure Handling Delight” and features horizontally-opposed Boxer engine. The exterior boasts aggressive headlights, a carbon fiber roof and an enormous rear wing. The package also includes a front spoiler, a rear diffuser and a 4-tailpipe exhaust system.

The performance is further boosted by a special sport-tuned suspension and Brembo brake system. BRZ STI sits on 18” alloy wheels fitted with performance tires.

Subaru BRZ STI Concept is powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter Boxer engine with direct injection technology. It is designed with a square bore and stroke of 86 X 86 mm for high output and high environmental standards, which were both attained.

Styling

• By installing the Boxer engine as low as possible, the low hood and sleek roofline together compose a sophisticated form. This is also blended with STI performance touches for a Subaru sporting profile.
• A hexagonal lower front grille, hawk eye headlights and fin-shaped fog lamps make the front face instantly recognizable as Subaru.
• STI-made lower front spoiler and rear wing magnify down-force and aerodynamics performance. They allow stable straight driving and excellent handling at high speeds.
• The rear design with bold rear fender flares, large rear-diffuser, and twin dual tailpipes intensifies the STI performance feel.
• A carbon-fiber roof, already installed in a WRX STI model and highly acclaimed, has been employed by the concept car. With it, extra weight reduction and an even lower center of gravity were achieved, contributing considerably to the ultimate handling performance this concept model aims to offer.

Engine

• The Boxer engine has inherent qualities of light weight, compactness, low center of gravity, and high rigidity – all pointing toward its great potential as a sports car engine. Taking full advantage of these features, a 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder direct fuel-injection gasoline engine has been developed exclusively for BRZ.
• The engine has been designed with a square bore and stroke of 86 X 86 mm. Combined with Toyota’s D-4S direct injection technology (fuel injection system), high output and high environmental standards were both attained, both expected of a new generation sports car.

Chassis and Body

• Compared with other Subaru models, the engine in SUBARU BRZ CONCEPT – STI – sits an impressive 120 mm lower and is positioned 240 mm closer to the center of the chassis. As a result, this car has achieved one of the lowest possible center of gravity in cars on the market today.
• By incorporating lightweight parts such as a carbon-fiber roof, the overall weight has been reduced. Subaru has also succeeded in attaining a body structure that is both lightweight and highly rigid in a striking balance. The concept car is the embodiment of pure driving enjoyment only obtainable with a “Boxer sports car”.
• Its unique handling performance has been remarkably refined by adopting STI’s lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels with performance tires and STI tuned suspension with excellent lateral stiffness.
• Brembo brakes enhance braking performance.

Major Specifications

Overall Length × Width × Height (mm): 4,230 × 1,800 × 1,280
Wheelbase (mm): 2,570
Engine Type: 2.0-liter direct fuel injection naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder
Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine
Tires: 215/45R18 (Front), 225/45R18 (Rear)

Source: Subaru

November 17, 2011

Subaru BRZ Concept

Subaru will exhibit BRZ STI concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It will be held between November 18th and 27^th, this year.

Built around Subaru’s core technologies, the BRZ will use a new 2.0 litre Subaru Boxer engine developed specifically for the model and with the latest direct injection technology to improve combustion and efficiency. It will deliver around 200PS (147 kW) and 205Nm (151 lb-ft) of torque.

The new compact coupe has been developed as part of an on-going joint project with Toyota Motor Corporation. All cars will be built at Subaru’s Gunma plant in Japan when production starts in spring 2012.

The car is practically the same as the production model. It features a sports front bumper with nice grille and LED daytime running lights. There is also a huge rear wing and a sports four-tailpipe exhaust system.

Source: Subaru

November 1, 2011

Tag: Subaru BRZ

Subaru BRZ 2013 To Handle Like No Other?

Scion FR-S

Subaru BRZ

Subaru BRZ STi Concept

Subaru BRZ Concept