Subaru BRZ Prototype Review by Car and Driver. Calls it a Knockout.
 

The first review of the Subaru BRZ prototype is in from Car and Driver

Here's some of the more interesting bits from the article:

• Only Subaru personnel responsible for engineering and at test track.
• Engineering of the prototype dictated the final car's styling rather than vice versa.
• Toyota's role was styling the car.
• Production line begins May 2012 at Subaru's build center in Gunma Perfecture, Japan
• Car will be welded from regular materials such as steel, except for aluminum hood

• Subaru and Toyota will share nearly identical versions, sharing:
  • Subaru flat four FB20 2.0L 200+ hp engine, using Toyota's D4Sport dual port and direct-injection technology (7500rpm redline)
  • two Aisin 6-speed transmissions (one manual and a conventional automatic). Auto will have 3 modes - auto, manual, and 'temporary manual'
  • one basic interior
  • one set of body stampings and glass
  • ** badges, wheels, and small trim items will be different

• Suspension is impreza-derived, with coil-over struts in front and three-link rear suspension.
• Motor will sit 4.7" lower than Impreza's placement and 9.4" inches closer to the center of the car.
• No sunroof.
• Notchback trunk (not a hatchback).
• Target curb weight during prototyping was 2800 pounds.
• Center of gravity: 17.7 inches high (1" lower than Cayman).
• Base sticker expected at $28,000 (estimated).

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oh boy, this is going to be a fun thread. Thanks for the article.

Here are the details

-Toyota/Scion and Subaru will have same engine. 210hp@6500rpm and 170lb.ft at 4000rpm
-"badges, wheels, and some small trim items will be different"
-"we delivered the best chassis we could, and then the styling was basically Toyota's role"
-Toyota: product planning and styling, Subaru: engineering, testing, and production
-push to start
-they estimate $28,000 and 2800-2900lbs. Count me out if those numbers are true.
-4 seats, trunk (no hatchback)
-donut spare tire
-"The BRZ feels more like a joint venture between Subaru and Lotus than a collaboration with Camrys-by-the-billions, LTD"
-7500RPM redline
-AL hood
-AL block and heads
-production starts May 2012
-0-60: 6.0sec, 1/4 mile 14.8 sec
-mpg: 19/27

I don't see anything here at work :(. And from the article title all I can say is bullshit. I put more of the work on Toyota than Subie

I predict it will be. FWIW I think they are full of shit. We've seen this car @ Toyota's garage at the ring.

Me too

That better be the Subie price or they will have almost no support for this car.

price, weight, and mpg all sound fishy to me

Yes because we all forgot that Subaru developed the D4-S injection system and gave it to Toyota in 2007, being so awesome that they don't need it on their own cars... fucksakes...

All these continuous, chest-thumping 'WE DID EVERYTHING IMPORTANT AND TOYOTA JUST WATCHED AND PAID US!!!' press releases by Subaru, when they clearly didn't, are making me lose a lot of respect for them.

Gotta love speculation! I'd buy it if it were either:

$28K, 0-60 5.9 (gotta be under 6 haha), 27 mpg highway

-OR-

$24K, 0-60 mid to high 7's, 32+ mpg highway

I guess I just have to wait...

I had no respect for them and this just reaffirms why I do not like this company. I'm with Dilly-o, price, weight, and the most fishy of all is the MPG, I expect alot better than that.

And Matt - no way I would pay $24 for high 7's, that's pathetic. And I'm not thrilled with a 14.8 in the quarter either.

If the car cost 28,000 in the US it will cost 36,000 here in Puerto Rico! Because we have to pay import taxes wish i think its crazy, but thats how it work here :( so with that kind of money i could buy a 2011 WRX, not that i would buy one since i dont like the 2011 body. But i could, so yea if thats the price i would have think real hard about buying one.

You don't have income taxes tho, do you?

Good find.

Interesting 1st drives are starting to come through albeit for the prototype!

Looking forward to more. Soon I hope!

Notice the (Est) on every spec. Only a little over a month left to wait until we get real info but there really is zero chance in hell a 2800-2900lb 210hp $28,000 FT86 would sell.