Autoblog.com Review - 2013 Subaru BRZ

[Lighting Red]

Depending on how well the NA BRZ drives, I may find myself asking what the point of a more powerful turbo version is.

[JohnnyR]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Wasn't this the issue. Tada/Toyoda disagreed with AWD and turbo. Wanted to go back to the basics. I.e. RWD and NA. As a result what we have is what we have. SOA has always said no turbo at launch.

Right, but Suby has said months back that FI was indeed easily capable, meaning they have tinkered with it already, which I'm sure they have since this motor is the same one being developed for the next WRX/STI. I'm sure Suby was chomping at their nails wishing they could have released a Turbo from day one knowing them. They know what many people want, and from a track car at that.

Originally Posted by brillo

so the stock rims can only handle 215 in the front? I have a hard time believing that 225/45/17s wouldn't also fit. Has anyone else commented on this in a review?

Saw some articles on the fender/suspension design, something about the well heights and rolled fenders already employed. Maybe something in there is the root of this thought. They really shot themselves in the foot if you can't get wider wheels and tires in there without getting widebody fenders, something I doubt.

Originally Posted by Lighting Red

Depending on how well the NA BRZ drives, I may find myself asking what the point of a more powerful turbo version is.

You may, but for those like myself that actually track cars, and are coming from more powerful machines, we know the importance of having power on tap out of turns/straights on a closed track. Right now I'm just entertaining the thought of one as a daily beater for it's fun nature and good MPG, and going full track/rally build with my Evo.

Glad to see this forum picked up on another "la-la-la i can't hear you" line, "number-paper racer". We're enthusiasts too, and we like the car for what it is, but want more from it. So make the STI model for us, leave the plain jane for the others that don't "need" the power. And everyone's happy then, not just one side.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by brillo

so the stock rims can only handle 215 in the front? I have a hard time believing that 225/45/17s wouldn't also fit. Has anyone else commented on this in a review?

They would fit. This stuff is fairly standard and generally a 225/45/17 is spec'd to fit a 7.0-8.5" wide wheel. Not sure any magazine would mention it.

It would reduce gearing and hurt straight light and braking performance, the width might offset the gearing and weight in cornering, but 235/40/17 is a better fit IMO. Still heavier, but wider and better gearing than stock.

[brillo]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

They would fit. This stuff is fairly standard and generally a 225/45/17 is spec'd to fit a 7.0-8.5" wide wheel. Not sure any magazine would mention it.

It would reduce gearing and hurt straight light and braking performance, the width might offset the gearing and weight in cornering, but 235/40/17 is a better fit IMO. Still heavier, but wider and better gearing than stock.

good call on the sizing, I had my RX8 tire specs in my head when I wrote that, I don't want it taller, just more contact patch.

[uspspro]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

They would fit. This stuff is fairly standard and generally a 225/45/17 is spec'd to fit a 7.0-8.5" wide wheel. Not sure any magazine would mention it.

It would reduce gearing and hurt straight light and braking performance, the width might offset the gearing and weight in cornering, but 235/40/17 is a better fit IMO. Still heavier, but wider and better gearing than stock.

Yep.. 235/40/17 is perfect

I plan on running that size all around on 17x8 wheels.

[carbonBLUE]

Originally Posted by Double4Free

I doubt itll be 280 hp :| even if they do come out with it itll be like 250 hp max. And thats in like 2 - 3 years. Not waiting for that :[

the new wrx is going to have 275 hp, why shouldnt the brz have 280?

[JohnnyR]

I do have to admit I'm curious what this chassis will do with a real set of wheels/tires on it alone. It has some impressive figures with the greens on it after all. But I think those tires are intentional, not just for MPGs, but also so they break loose easily for the journalists and such.

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by Spaceywilly

I don't understand why every review of the car so far has been overwhelmingly positive, and yet people choose to dwell on the power and tires, which every reviewer has said is adequate. You would think the reviews so far had trashed on the car, when so far there has not been a single negative review.

I totally agree. The horsepower wars has blinded the masses with irrelevant data like 0-60 and 1/4 mile, when none of that matters on speed-limited public roads. Powertrain performance should be published in terms of in-gear accelerative force [in g] in a standardized environment. Even then, very few people understand that their timid right foot going down a wide-open on-ramp rarely taps into even modest acceleration offered by entry-level vehicles.

All the "experts" making wholly irrelevant comparisons to minivans and midsize sedans cars are strictly trolling for an emotional response. If I had a nickel for every time I've seen a Camry driver floor it, I'd be dead broke.

[sprintertrueno86]

buy your own turbo.

[Sovran]

Originally Posted by Ryephile

If I had a nickel for every time I've seen a Camry driver floor it, I'd be dead broke.

Exactly.

[Draco-REX]

I own three turbo cars. I don't want a turbo in the BRZ. It won't work. If I get a FI BRZ, it'll be supercharged. And hopefully with a positive displacement blower.

[jor8888]

I want turbooooo

[Subaruwrxfan]

Everybody wants more power, but they're also complaining about the price. I'm sure Subaru could have launched with a turbo, and the car would have probably cost over 35k. Pick your poison. If you want a turbo so bad, put your own on, nobody's stopping you.

[ZetaVI]

Woohooo another review. Ehhh, all this turbo talk. Cry me a river.