Second-gen Subaru BRZ arrives in Oz

SUBARU Australia has introduced its second-gen BRZ, which, although based on a new platform, retains the elements that made its predecessor such an elemental sportscar – a light, compact package with a naturally-aspirated motor that drives the rear wheels via a limited-slip diff.

From launch, the new range comprises a pair of derivatives – Coupe and Coupe S, both of which are available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission (with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles). 

Compared with the outgoing range, the MY22 model, which starts at $38,990 – plus on-road costs – has risen in price by between $3720 and $5210. 

Now based on the Japanese marque’s modular global platform, the second-gen BRZ’s wheelbase and overall length has increased by 5mm and 25mm respectively, while its height has been reduced by 15mm. The newcomer’s body offers about 60 per cent more front lateral bending rigidity and 50 per cent more torsional stiffness than before and the rear track has notably been widened by 10mm.

As expected, the new BRZ offers a lot more standard specification than before, yet it weighs only 3kg and 8kg more (the manual and automatic versions, respectively) than its predecessor, because aluminium has been used extensively for the newcomer’s bonnet, front fenders and roof skin.

Under the bonnet, a 2.4-litre flat four-cylinder petrol motor with direct and port injection has replaced the 2.0-litre unit of the previous model – it develops 174kW at 7000rpm and 250Nm at 3700rpm, which is still sent to the rear wheels via a mechanical limited-slip differential. This represents improvements of 22kW and 38Nm for manual- and 27kW and 45Nm for automatic cars.  

All derivatives feature self-levelling and steering-responsive LED headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres; an STI styling pack (with front- and rear bumper, fender, side-skirt and boot lid garnishes) is optional. 

The standard equipment list includes smart-key access with push-button start, a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel and gear/transmission lever, dual-zone climate control, a 7.0-inch, customisable digital instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and includes DAB+ digital radio and built-in satnav.

While the standard upholstery is cloth, S trim adds Ultrasuede and leather accented trim as well as heated front seats. All versions offer a quartet of selectable drive modes that work in conjunction with vehicle dynamics control (VDC), including Normal, TCS (traction control) Off, Track and TCS Off.

Lastly, the BRZ employs Active Sound Control to enhance engine sound inside the cabin. 

Along with the expected active and passive safety equipment, the new BRZ features blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert, while automatic versions benefit from selectable Sport and Snow transmission modes, reverse automatic braking, as well as the Shibuya-based marque’s proprietary EyeSight stereoscopic camera driver-assist system. 

EyeSight, which was not offered on the first-gen model, ramps up the sportscar’s safety suite with a pre-collision braking system with brake assist and throttle management, adaptive cruise control, lead-vehicle start alert, lane departure warning and lane-sway warning functions. 

The all-new Subaru BRZ comes standard with Subaru’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, five-year capped-price servicing program and twelve-month roadside assistance program.

As GoAuto reported previously, the first allocation of 500 new BRZ units were all pre-sold and deliveries of the newcomer will begin soon.

Subaru Australia is negotiating with the mother company to secure more stock and will make an announcement in that regard in a couple of months’ time.

2022 Subaru BRZ pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.