Subaru BRZ Prototype First Drive Review: "Off the Chart" (Motor Trend)

[PAImportTuner]

Originally Posted by zigzagz94

So PAI, what I'm getting from your posts is that your sources are telling you that there will be a "true" STi version released shortly after the standard model?

Seems like the agreement is for no mid-grade WRX like model for BRZ, only a STI variant as to not take sales from FRS and "BRZ" well optioned models.

There was talk about a stroked mill with slightly different pistons, airbox, cam profiles, exhaust system and ecu tuning on the existing mill(think about the recent review saying 240hp/200tq@7k, that would be it, they were told vaguely but they confused it in the article saying #s were for normal BRZ when it wasn't).

Q1 2013 is the target. This date is too far away for STI variant it could only mean they are waiting for new gen mill to pass tests(which should of been done 2 months ago) and scrap the bigger tuned N/A idea, but being very tight lipped. They also are faced with knowing 31+k is turbo 4 or 6cyl territory for Japanese sports cars and anything less would be a tough sell in their upcoming line up.

[OldSkoolToys]

Originally Posted by PAImportTuner

Seems like the agreement is for no mid-grade WRX like model for BRZ, only a STI variant as to not take sales from FRS and "BRZ" well optioned models.

There was talk about a stroked mill with slightly different pistons, airbox, cam profiles, exhaust system and ecu tuning on the existing mill(think about the recent review saying 240hp/200tq@7k, that would be it, they were told vaguely but they confused it in the article saying #s were for normal BRZ when it wasn't).

Q1 2013 is the target. This date is too far away for STI variant it could only mean they are waiting for new gen mill to pass tests(which should of been done 2 months ago) and scrap the bigger tuned N/A idea, but being very tight lipped. They also are faced with knowing 31+k is turbo 4 or 6cyl territory for Japanese sports cars and anything less would be a tough sell in their upcoming line up.

Exactly...the only point I'm making is that $31k is just way too much to be asking unless its what everyone expects from an STi version, that includes Force Induction.

Hell, that car and driver article quotes that executive as saying $28k for the base BRZ. Thats a huge eyebrow raiser. Why so high?

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by blofeld42

Target production of 3000? That's only about eight per dealer in the US. That works out to about one per month per dealer. Less if the 3000 number is for worldwide sales.

This as been mentioned in other places about rumors that dealers will get 1-2 cars per month. No haggling with that.

[PAImportTuner]

Originally Posted by OldSkoolToys

Faster? We already know there won't be a FI model even from Subaru at the get-go. So, $31k for what? I'm asking the same question.

It seems like that $31k will be for pretty much everything you'd be able to dealer option onto its -twin- car, the FR-S.

When I say "do myself" I don't mean engine mods to make it as fast as the STi (it'll be the same damn engine with the same damn output), I meant options offered via brochure and end up with a car I want, at the price I want, instead of having to spend an arm and a leg for an entire package deal (STi).

Hell, an STi version hasn't even been confirmed. Its just speculation.

Whether it's released 12 or 16months from now doesn't matter, what matters it's coming so save your money for the bigger better picture. Don't be penny smart dollar foolish.

$31k will not be a dealer optioned car it will be a race bred vehicle, optioned would be $34k for premium audio/nav and leather just like an optioned WRXSTI hits 40k with those things.

Say what you want I've came back to point out the things that I've already shared with people on here. Also I will bet you that you cannot make your FRS/"BRZ" faster and lighter than the "BRZ" STI using quality parts for under 31k including the cost of little to no optioned car which will be in the 25k region. Not going to happen, you'll have no interior inducing extra road noise, sacrifice comfort and reliabilty throwing away your powertrain warranty trying to do so.

To put in perspective here's a scenario. A quality intake system, header, cat, and catback that actually gives you gains will run you 2.2k, RPF1 or like new forged lw wheels another 2k with 180utg rated tires, seat pair 1k, aluminum links, brakes, suspension arms add another 3k(not including struts and springs), ecu flash 500. That's 8.7k, your leaving out STI exterior/interior styling, struts/springs/sways, turbo, model value, possible emission issues with header/cat. In the end you are still down on power/tq and not handling as well, the STI will be factory engineered and backed not a modded bolt-on hot mess.

[Mess11]

Originally Posted by blofeld42

Target production of 3000? That's only about eight per dealer in the US. That works out to about one per month per dealer. Less if the 3000 number is for worldwide sales.

Originally Posted by tranzformer

This as been mentioned in other places about rumors that dealers will get 1-2 cars per month. No haggling with that.

Is that 3,000 Scion and Subaru models together, or just applies to the Subaru BRZ?

Why so few anyway?

[blofeld42]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

This as been mentioned in other places about rumors that dealers will get 1-2 cars per month. No haggling with that.

I wonder why the Subaru allocation is so low. Toyota has priority? Subaru is planning on stretching the platform for the WRX and AWD, and doesn't want to dilute their AWD brand? They want to differentiate themselves with a higher output model in a year?

[blofeld42]

Originally Posted by Mess11

Is that 3,000 Scion and Subaru models together, or just applies to the Subaru BRZ?

Why so few anyway?

I'd expect that's the Subaru allocation for the US. They built a new plant for this and they're not making money on a production run of 3,000 per year. It sounds like Toyota is getting almost all the production for the first year.

[PAImportTuner]

Originally Posted by blofeld42

I wonder why the Subaru allocation is so low. Toyota has priority? Subaru is planning on stretching the platform for the WRX and AWD, and doesn't want to dilute their AWD brand? They want to differentiate themselves with a higher output model in a year?

Its not its the same as other sport models in the line up.

No

Yes stretch, No could care less

Yes

[tripjammer]

3000 units a year?!?!?! Dammit!

[Mess11]

Originally Posted by Mess11

Is that 3,000 Scion and Subaru models together, or just applies to the Subaru BRZ?

Why so few anyway?

Originally Posted by blofeld42

I'd expect that's the Subaru allocation for the US. They built a new plant for this and they're not making money on a production run of 3,000 per year. It sounds like Toyota is getting almost all the production for the first year.

Ah, so we'll see much more than 3,000 units of the Scion FR-S per year?

If so, whew....

[ZetaVI]

Interesting article. Just wondering how accurate the estimated price is.

[PAImportTuner]

Originally Posted by ZetaVI

Interesting article. Just wondering how accurate the estimated price is.

Almost dead on.

[ForReal-Someday]

Originally Posted by PAImportTuner

Almost dead on.

Oh Rly?

[ft86cbx]

Originally Posted by PAImportTuner

Almost dead on.

Source?