First Drive: 2013 Subaru BRZ Prototype

Recently there has been many rumors and talk about Toyota and Subaru join forces to create a new sports coupe for both of their line-ups.  Under Subaru it will be called the BRZ, although we know that here in the States the car will be branded under Toyota's Scion subdivision, it is uncertain of the model name to come.  But today we see spy shot images of the camouflaged prototype of Motor Trend doing testing.  Through this collaboration both auto makers should be beneficial-- being on there own individually this great sports car would have never been created.  Subaru wouldn't have been able to afford to build such  a car, and Toyota just wouldn't of have the time or capacity for such a project.

Subaru in this partnership is responsible for the engineering behind  this new car and Toyota did the design and planning.  Both cars are basically the same but will have a few cosmetic differences -- like the front and rear bumper designs, of course the badging, and the detail of each model level they offer.  Both of these cars will be assembled at Subaru's Gunma plant in Japan.

The BRZ will be special in its own way-- being the first and world's only front-engine, rear wheel drive sports car that is powered by a boxer engine.  Another vehicle with a boxer engine is Porsche, but theirs is a rear mounted engine.


Another great design and engineering move was to keep the engine as low and far back as possible.  Compared to the 2012 Subaru Impreza, which uses the same engine, in the BRZ the engine sits 4.8 inches lower and over 8 inches further back.  What does this mean? This means that the center of gravity is very low and close to the center of the vehicle giving it a whole lot better weight distribution-- which in return means better handling, as found in a lot more expensive cars.

This car was not created to be the best at anything--like speed or handling.  But it was more so created to be an affordable overall sports car that would be entertaining and fun to drive.  The main focuses and objectives of this car was to create a car that was light weight, fuel efficient, fun to drive, but still have enough room for a few passengers and luggage if needed.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1112_2013_subaru_brz_prototype_first_drive/#ixzz1cTO4NRtz