North America Gets a Look at the Nimble Subaru BRZ

BRAINTREE, MASS. (01/25/2012)(readMedia)-- Subaru is hoping that the saying "less is more" clicks with buyers following the recent North American debut of its BRZ sports car at the Detroit Auto Show. With Subaru's extensive efforts to keep weight to a minimum, the rear-wheel-drive sports car will focus on balance rather than power, becoming the lightest car in the lineup when it reaches Subaru dealer showrooms this spring.

For an automaker that made its name in the performance world with all-wheel-drive sports cars like the Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI, the rear-wheel-drive 2013 Subaru BRZ represents a new way of thinking. While those cars rely on big power and big grip, the BRZ will take a different performance approach as the lightest closed rear-wheel-drive sports car available in the United States.

"The BRZ is the culmination of Subaru's decades of experience in motorsports and building performance-oriented cars," said Bob Cameron, general manager of Greater Boston Subaru dealership Quirk Works Subaru. "The BRZ is light on its feet, very balanced through the curves and aimed right at the heart of the growing automotive-enthusiast crowd."

Weighing in at approximately 2,762 pounds, the BRZ is much lighter than performance-minded sports cars like the Porsche Cayman and Hyundai Genesis coupe, which are around 160 and 500 pounds heftier, respectively. Subaru engineers trimmed weight by making good use of high-tensile steel in the body, as well as aluminum in the hood, and that focus on lightweight components also extended to the engine of the BRZ.

Rather than using the 2.5-liter engines found in the WRX and WRX STI, Subaru designed a lighter-weight 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine that produces 200 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque in the BRZ. A shallow oil pan and low-lying intake manifold help the new BOXER engine sit five inches lower than Subaru's other 2.0-liter engine when it is mounted in the Impreza. With a shorter engine positioned lower in the car, the BRZ's center of gravity is reduced to just 18.1 inches, putting the sports car in elite company.

The 2013 Subaru BRZ's new engine can connect to a choice of two six-speed transmissions, including a manual gearbox with a short-throw shift lever or an automatic setup that includes paddle shifters on the steering column. The automatic-equipped BRZ will even blip the throttle on downshifts, allowing for smoother shifts that don't upset the car's balance mid-corner. Meanwhile, a limited-slip rear differential on all models transfers the power down to the pavement as efficiently as possible, enabling early application of power coming out of turns.

"The BRZ is proof that you don't need a huge, maximum-power engine to have a fun, quick car," Cameron noted. "Its lighter weight gives it great acceleration, as well as the ability to skillfully maneuver through the turns. We expect the BRZ to be a hit with those drivers that want a pure sports car instead of a clumsy coupe."

About Quirk Works Subaru:

When Greater Boston Subaru lovers are looking for quality Subaru service or the best deals on new and used Subaru models, including the Legacy, Forester, Impreza and Outback, Quirk Works Subaru is where they travel. Quirk's skilled service technicians, plus an extensive inventory matched by a knowledgeable and friendly sales team, have made them a top Boston Subaru dealer. Their wide selection of Subarus is online at www.quirkworkssubaru.com, and customers looking for more information can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/QuirkWorksSubaru, call them at 877-624-9954, or stop by their showroom at 442 Quincy Ave. in Braintree, Massachusetts.