Subaru BRZ spied at the Nürburgring

The ‘baru’ part of the ‘Toybaru’ sportscar has just been seen in action at the Nürburgring. Officially called the Subaru BRZ the heavily disguised prototype, unsurprisingly, shares its basic proportions with the Toyota FT-86 II Concept. Although, the Subie does appear to be a little more conservative as far as the front spoiler goes. Hmm, more conservative than Toyota—that can’t be good.

When it goes on sale the BRZ will be the only Subaru on offer that is not all-wheel drive. It will keep a familiar four-cylinder boxer engine layout, which will power the rear wheels.

The BRZ is expected to be revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show in early December. This recent sighting also gives us an opportunity to catch up on some material from Frankfurt which we missed last month and that’s available for you now after the break.

[Source: WCF]

Subaru BRZ Creates Buzz in Frankfurt

13 September 2011 – More details of Subaru’s rear-wheel drive BRZ sports car have emerged at Frankfurt Motor Show today.

Described as a “pure handling delight” the BRZ will be the only mainstream front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car in the world to be powered by a horizontally-opposed Boxer engine.

Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), the maker of Subaru cars, is displaying a BRZ Prologue technology demonstrator at Frankfurt, which shows the drivetrain and engine beneath a transparent body.

The BRZ Prologue uses a totally new FA Boxer engine, exclusively designed for the car.

FHI says the 2.0 litre alloy engine’s light-weight, compact size and low centre of gravity produces great handling stability and driving excitement.

To achieve the lowest possible centre of gravity, the engine sits 120 mm lower and is positioned 240 mm closer to the centre of the chassis than existing Subaru models.

An added benefit is the low bonnet – contributing to the sleek silhouette.

The BRZ Prologue features front strut suspension and double wishbone rear, for outstanding stability and control.

The car doesn’t rely solely on power output, but draws on the chassis, drivetrain, engine and suspension set up working in unison to produce great drivability.

Short front and rear overhangs reduce the yaw moment of inertia, resulting in agile and stable handling.

BRZ is due to begin production in northern Spring, 2012.

A decision is due by the end of this year on whether BRZ will join Subaru’s Australian line-up.

BRZ Prologue major specifications:
Length: 4200 mm
Width: 1770 mm
Height: 1270 mm
Wheelbase: 2570 mm
Engine: Subaru 2.0 litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder horizontally-opposed FA Boxer engine
Tyre size: 215/45R17