BRZ vs. Fiesta ST - great track review

[Sport-Tech]

Autoguide has a detailed track test comparing the two, definitely worth the read. The BRZ just edges out the FiST thanks to its ability to get the power down earlier coming out of a few 180 degree corners.

The video of the test has additional content not found in the writeup:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GpGaJqQi2k"]2014 Ford Fiesta ST vs 2014 Subaru BRZ - YouTube[/ame]

[iag48st]

Didn't a European mag post a video of the same match up and the Brz lost bad? Goes to show how different course and drivers make a difference. Go twins!


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[tonylop33]

Originally Posted by iag48st

Didn't a European mag post a video of the same match up and the Brz lost bad? Goes to show how different course and drivers make a difference. Go twins!


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Wasn't it the Focus ST that did better? The Focus ST is a 247 hp/250 tq car vs the Fiesta ST at 197 hp/214 tq.

[ZionsWrath]

Did he say 140 tread wear tires on a car people are going to DD? wut? damn now im glad my BRZ came with "prius" tires, those fiesta st owners gonna be buying a new set before their first oil change.

[Burrcold]

This video just reiterates evey reason why I would choose the BRZ/FRS over the Fiesta ST or the Focus ST any day of the week. Econoboxes turned high output "sport cars" isn't for me. Especially after owning the pinnacle of this category (MKVI GTI).

[DarkSunrise]

Contrary to my impression on the street, out on the race track the Fiesta really didn’t feel much faster down the straights than the BRZ. In fact, top speed at the end of the front straight was nearly identical (96 MPH for the BRZ and 97 MPH for the ST), despite these two machines delivering their power to the ground at opposite ends of their chassis and different points in their rev ranges. The BRZ feels a lot livelier in the upper reaches of its 7,400-rpm range, while the Fiesta’s 51 lb-ft torque advantage paid big dividends while squirting out of corners in the 3,000 to 5,000 rpm sweet spot, but power flattens off from there to its 6,300 fuel cut.

I have the same experience with my GTI and FR-S. When I drive them at my local track, their top speed on the straights are within 2-3 mph of each other.

You really have to downshift and wind out the Twins to make use of the 200 hp they offer. The GTI feels more powerful on the street because of the midrange torque, but if you downshift into the lowest gear possible in both cars, their acceleration feels identical.

I always tell people who are thinking of buying an FR-S, if you hate downshifting, you will hate this car. But if you enjoy downshifting, you will really enjoy the car. Personally I like it, as it forces you to engage and downshift and be part of the driving experience, as opposed to just punching the pedal in whatever gear you happen to be in.

[jblmr2]

Again I'm flattered by the attention the automotive press gives my car. Whether they like it or hate it, it has become the benchmark by which others are measured.

[Atropine]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I have the same experience with my GTI and FR-S. When I drive them at my local track, their top speed on the straights are within 2-3 mph of each other.

You really have to downshift and wind out the Twins to make use of the 200 hp they offer. The GTI feels more powerful on the street because of the midrange torque, but if you downshift into the lowest gear possible in both cars, their acceleration feels identical.

I always tell people who are thinking of buying an FR-S, if you hate downshifting, you will hate this car. But if you enjoy downshifting, you will really enjoy the car. Personally I like it, as it forces you to engage and downshift and be part of the driving experience, as opposed to just punching the pedal in whatever gear you happen to be in.

This is sooo true.

If you like shifting and focus on keeping the engine in the "sweet spot" then the twins are opimal.

If you wanna just stand on the gas and go fast...then the twins are the wrong car for you.

I love the engaging feeling of these cars...

I went from an SRT8 Challenger (470HP/470lb torque) to the BRZ. I like brute strength a lot. Sadly, that brute strength means you end up comiting felonies on public roads far too easily.

[WolfpackS2k]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

Did he say 140 tread wear tires on a car people are going to DD? wut? damn now im glad my BRZ came with "prius" tires, those fiesta st owners gonna be buying a new set before their first oil change.

The Dunlop Direzza Star Spec Z1's I had on my S2000 had a treadwear rating of 140. They lasted 25,000 hard driven miles, including 4 track days. You would be amazed at how long tires last on a lightweight car with low torque output.

[rice_classic]

That's what I call a "non-review". It was nothing more than an advertisement but then again, that's pretty much what American automotive journalism is anyway.

[JS + BRZ]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

That's what I call a "non-review". It was nothing more than an advertisement but then again, that's pretty much what American automotive journalism is anyway.

What was so wrong with this review?

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by JS + MS3

What was so wrong with this review?

There wasn't one.

It was nothing more than an advertisement for a Fiesta and BRZ with some very "safe" critiques so they can appear to actually be doing a review.

"Oh the BRZ has a chinsy interior pieces."
"The Fiesta's parking brake is too low."


This review wasn't done by an amateur or by some bored member of the forum. These are paid automotive journalists and they deliver nothing more than an advertisement. They need to stop calling these things "reviews" and they need to stop calling themselves journalists. AutoGuide is just a marketing firm at this point.

[Demandred7]

Originally Posted by iag48st

Didn't a European mag post a video of the same match up and the Brz lost bad? Goes to show how different course and drivers make a difference. Go twins!


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Yeah, EVO magazine has a thing against the GT86. Not sure what their problem is.

[Sport-Tech]

Oops - apologies, I see this thread is actually a duplicate of one started earlier (in my defence the other thread was not clearly labeled so I did not know it was linked to a review).