Quote:
Originally Posted by Lighting Red
Certain aspects of what defines the BRZ's character, such as steering rack speed, more than likely will not change. On that level I agree with you.
Where I completely disagree with you is with your assertion that the character of the car (in this case meaning the overriding character traits of the BRZ) as defined by the BRZ's low weight and low Cg will not be altered. Even though you did not define the overall character as such, I think we can both agree those two attributes truly define the car, and all the other sub-traits fall from there.
Besides adding a nice panaramic view of the environment, convertible tops (hard or soft) do two things to a cars: add complexity, and add weight relatively high on the car. Convertible top cars also suffer from reduced rigidity, especially when compared to solid roofed counterparts. To overcome this, convertibles require additional material added to the frame in the form of structural members in order to gain back some measure of lost rigidity. Without belaboring the point, all these factors contribute towards undermining the two major attributes that make the BRZ a, well... a BRZ.
I have a feeling I am not saying anything new to you, or most other members on the BRZ side of the house (the kids on the FR-S side might be a different story  ). Basically even if Subaru designed this car from the get-go to also support a convertible top variant, unless they extensively employ exotic materials throughout the top's construction, I do not see how the driving experience and performance of the base car will not be negatively affected. Then again... I suspect people who buy convertibles generally do not car all that much about the performance. |
Lol I'm well aware of what goes in to constructing a convertible version of a car. What I'm saying is that Subaru engineered this car from the beginning with a convertible version in mind (there are many articles with quotes from the engineers saying this).
Because they are planning to make one, this car already has extreme rigidity and I think it will require very few modifications to the frame of the car, if any at all. It's hardly complex, custom shops do it all the time. Hack the roof off and put a soft top on it instead, add some motors for the roof, and place a little more bracing in the car (if needed). I actually think this car could be BETTER as a convertible.
If they did engineer it with that extra rigidity like the engineers have claimed, then there will be minimal weight added to the frame, plus you are losing lots of weight up top (because of the lack of a roof!)
I think the convertible version could be lighter than the hardtop (look at the miata), have better handling and even less body roll (if that's even possible, lol) because of all the weight of the car being lower.
Your last comment about people who buy convertibles don't care about performance made me laugh, as you're insulting every single Miata and S2000 owner out there, among other cars. The only thing more glorious than carving up back roads is carving them up in the open air while being able to hear your exhaust twice as good as you could with the windows down in a hardtop. Viva la convertible!
