Motortrend's Best Driver's Car 2012 preview: BRZ vs ZL1, GT500, Aventador, 911s, MP4
 

UPDATE: Added Motortrend's BRZ review, along with the Lamborghini Aventador and Jaguar XKR-S
http://www.motortrend.com/features/p...ar_contenders/

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38WqRJf7So8&feature=player_embedded"]2013 Subaru BRZ Hot Lap! - 2012 Best Driver's Car Contender - YouTube[/ame]


http://wot.motortrend.com/best-drive...wn-246127.html

Didn't find this posted before. Here's a preview of their annual Best Driver's Car test that they'll begin publishing on Monday, Aug 20. BRZ has some tough competition.

Video preview:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnL1VV8S2-g&feature=g-u-u"]Behind the Scenes of 2012 Best Driver's Car - Wide Open Throttle Episode 29 - YouTube[/ame]



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Haha yeah, as much as I love my BRZ, I'm not going to pick it over a McLaren MP4-12C or Aventador.

I think the next cheapest car on that list is twice the cost of the BRZ...

Crazy I'm not sure the BRZ will place even mid-pack against this group. It's absurd when the next weakest car after the BRZ is a 400hp Carrera S. They should have included a couple more great drivers' cars under $60k like the Evolution X and Cayman.

Top Gear chose the GT86 over the MP4-12C in their Speed Week, so it's not impossible.

The low cost will count a lot in the BRZ's favor. We'll see. But I'm not holding my breath for an American car rag to declare a low-hp car the best driver's car.

We should go post this link on the Hyundai Gen Coupe website and ask them why they didn't get picked for this comparo.. lol

Seriously though.. What a huge compliment for the BRZ to be included in that group of cars.

:word:

This is what is called :respekt: for BRZ/FRS. I can't wait to read it; I expect it to be in the top 3. And definitely the best bang for the buck.

I think Chris Harris did a video through /Drive on DDing the MP4-12C and came to the conclusion it was terrible.

I would. Tell me when a Lamborghini ever competes in Solo II and wins.

I'd rather drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow. It's not like I'd be having any fun in the Aventador anyway, because there'd be hardly anybody to compete with on the track or on the autocross course.

Absurd? I think it's an honor. : )

Yeah, it all depends on whether they're including value as a part of the judgement. Not including price, it's not going to stand up with most of those cars, but to be included is pretty impressive on its own.

I see this comparison as relative to each vehicles cost. All of these cars are seen and proven as the top performers within their respective price points/targets.

So, the spirit of the comparison is to find the most car for the least dollar.

Aventador is the only car there that makes me drool.

This is crazy that they just keep take this car and compare with $100k, $200k, $300k out there ... ??? :) Man, it's too unfair for 86! Every single magazine on the stand today show and talk endlessly for GT86/FRS/BRZ. I saw the 86 on Modified magazine last night and another of red hot FRS pic with a new fastest Ferrari Berlinetta on another magazine at costco stand .... like a Men's choice.

I do love me some MP4-12C. :wub:

But I'm gonna guess the BRZ comes in the top 5 with either a Mustang or Camaro in the bottom 3.

Look at that pics... mustang and camaro are the weakest link. imo :)

Another extremely subjective comparison... expect Porsche and BRZ to vie for 1st and 2nd.

The last time I read a 'Best Driver's Car' comparison, the Miata came out ahead of all the Porsches and supercars. It's based on how it treats the driver, not how fast it goes. So the BRZ has a shot.

- actually now that I think about it, the Boxter may have finished first and the Miata second.

Looking at that group, it almost seems like an easy win for the BRZ in my opinion...

Now if you are looking for the best track day car or the fastest car it might be a different story. That's a really odd grouping. Basically a bunch of muscle cars, supercars and 1 basic sports car. I'm surprised any contest like this wouldn't include a cayman or boxter or miata or elise.

Don't get me wrong, I'll take an Aventador over a BRZ if I had that kind of money but it'd be more to just drive a balla ass car than to have a "driver's car" per se. I'd have an exige in the garage for days I really want to drive. :D

excited to see this turn out! and those comments on the article are f'in hilarious.

Its true though that the BRZ is the wrench thrown into the machine, and this is a competition of this years performance driver cars.

My prediction is BRZ might come in the middle of the pack, but we will be surprised this year with the leader outcome. With the highest performance cars coming in the bottom of the list.

There are no performance models or new models this year for the '12 Miata and Elise, so they are not including it.

Its more likely to have the Miata and Eilse come in next year when they are released because both cars are getting major overhauls for MY13-MY14

One of my stepmom's family friends just picked up a McLaren and I'm trying to figure out the best way to say GIVE ME A RIDE while still taking into account that I don't know him that well. That being said, I'd be perfectly happy with a ride in one of his 8-9 other incredible cars.

The problem with the MP4-12C is that is sounds like crap compared to other Ferrari, Lambos and LFA...but it is still a bad assed car. I guess it just needs a proper exhaust...

As "industrial" stated a "very odd grouping".

its going to win. nuff said

I have a feeling the Shelby might win...because its such a huge different from last years Mustang Shelby, i only hear great things about the new Shelby.

Well it IS the "Best Driver's Car" comparison ...not "Fastest Around a Track" or Coolest Sounding" or "OMG Dream Car". A driver's car doesn't need insane power or fancy technology. I think the BRZ/FRS has just as much relevance in this group, under these circumstances, as it does being compared to the RX8, MX5, S2000, etc.

Pretty sad that for the average joe there is probably only one "drivers car" to choose from.

On that list I think the BRZ may win or take 2nd. Other than the porsche I'd hardly think any of the others are "drivers" cars.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aB77rrLTMI&feature=g-all-u"]Motor Trend's 2012 Best Driver's Car Week! - Begins August 20th - YouTube[/ame]

Odd but interesting competition. Kinda cool BRZ ended up in this group. Looking forward to the test.

That's hilarious...:thumbsup:

OMG, ending hints 9 car drag race!?!?!??!?!? BRZ gonna smoke em' yo

"gonna dial in about 4600, and dump the clutch, ride out the wheel spin"... oh, everyone else already crossed the finish line... well shit

;)

They did that last year with 11 cars.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDP7Pty8Qnw"]World's Greatest Drag Race! - YouTube[/ame]

Hah, the BRZ is going to get absolutely demolished in the drag race. Last year the Lotus Evora S ran a 12.9 sec @ 109.9 MPH, and it looked like a snail compared to most of the other cars :D

Still, I expect the BRZ to end up mid-pack in overal ranking, perhaps even in the upper half. From one of the posts at motortrend:

They actually picked the RX-8 two years ago. They have recently modified their testing "matrix" to favor feel more than raw numbers. I think the FR-S will place high, probably in the top 3.

I don't think the BRZ should place near the top. I'm guessing bottom 3rd.

To me, the contest is "Best driver's car" and not "Best driver's car value". If it was the latter, I think the BRZ wins.

The only cars in that group that I think the BRZ will beat is the two domestics. I think the testers *might* say that the BRZ handles better and has more feel and thus overcomes the rediculous hp deficit.

If Top Gear's comparison is any preview of things to come, I think the BRZ is going to win. It has to be the most involving car of that list. The ZL1 and Mustang could take it but I don't think the Exotics are going to win a "driver's car" competition. The 911, Aventador, and MP4-12C are all too techy for sufficient driver involvement.

well , where is the TG speekweek url ? thank you .I am just looking forward.

Anyone want to try guessing the results?

1) Porsche 911 Carrera S
2) McLaren MP4-12C
3) Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4
4) Nissan GT-R Black Edition
5) MB C63 AMG
6) Subaru BRZ
7) Chevy Camaro ZL1
8) Ford Shelby GT500
9) Jaguar XKR-S

1) Porsche 911 Carrera S
2) Subaru BRZ
3) McLaren MP4-12C
4) Nissan GT-R
5) Lamborghini Aventador
6) Ford Shelby GT500
7) Chevy Camaro ZL1
8) MB C63 AMG
9) Jaguar XKR-S

To me a drivers car is one that involves and thrills the driver. A car that reacts faithfully to the drivers inputs, and a car that takes skill to drive quickly.

My list is based completely upon conjecture as I haven't driven a single car on this list.