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1mage credits: © Subaru.
Press Release
SUBARU BRZ is a rear-wheel drive sports car featuring the
Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine. It was developed as a joint-project
between Subaru and Toyota Motor Corporation, to bring to the world a
sports car with superior steering response and driving pleasure that
everyone can experience. The Subaru Boxer engine in the BRZ was
positioned even lower than other Subaru models so that the BRZ has one
of the lowest possible centers of gravity on the market today. This low
center of gravity produces astonishing handling character and combined
with a light-weight chassis BRZ realizes Subaru's aim for "Pure Handling
Delight" -- the driving experience taken to a new level.
Major Features
Concept
The product concept of BRZ is "Pure Handling Delight." The
Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine has inherent qualities of low center
of gravity, lightweight, and compactness. These attributes are maximized
by placing this engine even lower and closer to the center of the
chassis. These factors contributed to BRZ's low center of gravity -- one
of the lowest possible. The BRZ is a fun sports car that any driver can
enjoy driving with peace of mind.
Design
"Ultra-low Center of Gravity Package"
The BRZ has a low-mounted Boxer engine on a specially designed sub-frame
that forms an "ultra-low center of gravity package". With this
arrangement, BRZ achieved a low driving position typical of a sports
car. Overall height of BRZ is 1,300 mm and it has a wide and low body of
a stylish coupe at 1775mm. Yet, it allows for 2+2 seating and a trunk
with ample space. Not only is the BRZ a sports car, but it can also be a
suitable partner for long tours with its unexpected utility.
Exterior
Subaru aimed for a sports car design that instinctively conveys the
car's fun-to-drive character. In addition, it was detailed to be
instantly recognizable as a Subaru.
Front fascia
The "ultra-low center of gravity package" also allowed a low hood
design. This low hood and bulging front fenders raise expectations for
the BRZ's drivability. Also, to communicate the Subaru identity the
Subaru six-star ornament, headlights and hexagon lower grille follow the
Subaru design motif common across new Subaru models.
Side
The low center of gravity enhances BRZ's sensuous beauty with its
shapely fender flares. The aesthetic beauty is combined with functional
beauty that advances aerodynamics through such areas as the C-pillar
shape, rear glass inclination, trunk lid layout. As would be expected
from a sports car, the front and rear overhangs were shortened to
express the BRZ's liveliness. The front fender is accentuated with a
distinctive garnish.
Rear fascia
The projecting rear wheel arches sit by way of contrast to the compact cabin and emphasizes the beauty of the BRZ's rear view.
Interior
Details were carefully designed to allow a new level of fun-to-drive experience in which the driver and vehicle become one.
- The steering wheel was made smaller to achieve sports car maneuverability.
- A tachometer with digitally displayed speedometer is placed in the center of the gauges so that the driver can instantly see information without diverting attention from the road.
- Bespoke sports car seats were designed to hold the driver and passenger and feature lowered sitting positions to match the "ultra-low center of gravity package".
Mechanisms
Engine
Making full use of the design concept of the new-generation Boxer
engine, the newly developed engine made exclusively for the BRZ is
highly efficient with superior output and environmental friendliness. It
realizes an exhilarating high revving nature of a naturally aspirated
sports engine.
- It has square bore and stroke of 86 X 86 mm.
- Due to the joint development with Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota's direct injection and port injection technology "D-4S" was incorporated in the BRZ's power unit.
- To achieve the "ultra-low center of gravity package", the engine as a whole has been made more compact by such means as adopting the shorter intake manifold and the shallower oil pan.
Transmission
The joy of sports car driving was realized through a transmission that focuses on shift feel and response.
- The 6-speed MT employs a short stroke shift lever. The lever was optimized in rigidity, shift quality and weight application in its pursuit of a superb shift feel.
- The 6-speed AT has "S mode" for better shifting response and "M mode" for optional shifting. Also, with the paddle shift and downshifting blipping control, this model can respond faithfully to the driver's inputs.
Body
The lightweight yet highly-rigid body was developed exclusively to
maximize the advantages of the "ultra-low center of gravity package".
- Low center of gravity and low driving position were achieved by the perimeter type body frame layout.
- The body has a rigid and durable frame structure that also works in balance with the vehicle's light-weight. The rigidity is optimized for high drivability and appropriate durability is maintained for collision safety.
- High tensile steel was used in the body to contribute to weight reduction. Effective use of this material in the upper structure of the BRZ contributed to its low center of gravity.
- The front hood employs aluminum for lightness. The structure was fine-tuned for a low styling that also improves pedestrian protection performance.
Chassis
Excellent maneuverability and stability of the "ultra-low center of
gravity package" offers direct and sharp response to steering and
enhances driver's connection to the car
- The front suspension employs struts for light-weight and high rigidity, while a double wishbone layout is adopted at the rear for better shock absorption.
- To gain a low front hood from the "ultra-low center of gravity package", the front strut mount was lowered while maintaining the stroke.
- The tires are 215/45R17 combined with lightweight and highly rigid aluminum wheels.
- All models are equipped with electronic stability control to provide both driving pleasure and safety.
Major Specifications
| Overall Length X Width X Height (mm) / (in) | 4,240 X 1,775 X 1,300 170 X 70 X 52 | |
| Wheelbase (mm) / (in) | 2,570 / 101 | |
| Curb weight (kg) / (lb) | 1,220 / 2,689 *1*2 | |
| Maximum output (kw(PS)) / hp | 147(200) / 200 *1 | |
| Maximum torque (N.m(kg.m)) / (lb/ft) | 205(20.9) / 151 *1 | |
| Power unit | Engine | 2.0-liter Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Direct Injection engine |
| Transmission | 6MT/E-6AT | |
| Drive train | Rear-wheel drive | |
| Suspension | front: strut / rear: double wishbone | |
| Tire size | 215/45R17 | |
| *1 reference value | ||
| *2 average value | ||
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