Subaru BRZ 1st Drive and First Impression Video

[nrclptcnsmniak]

the steering response from the steering wheel looks so responsive. doesnt seem to need a lot of movement.

[Matador]

Originally Posted by cyde01

he says that but actually he spends far more time raving about the handling. he says the high speed stability is unheard of in a 2wd car, the level of grip is incredible with the 4 tires feeling like they're suctioning the asphalt, the car feels like it's communicating to you to push it harder, and directly responds to everything you tell it to do. there are very few cars in the world with this level of handling. i feel no sense of loss of grip or unease. shift feel is great, clicks right into gear and yet there's a smoothness to the feel. sitting inside the fit and feel is very high, with all the controls matching to the driver very well. it's a pure handling car and a car with this kind of positioning is very rare in today's market.

all of that on michelin primacy tyres? ......Whoa

[[[|==86==|]]]

Did anyone else notice the shift/warning light in the tach? Wondering if it'll beep like in the sti's. Sooooooo nice!

[Nostalgia1987]

Originally Posted by .GENO.

I know this was posted in the BRZ ustream thread but here is the video for the BRZ.


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Can someone translate this vid?

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Thanks for posting these videos. I really enjoyed watching them, even though i have no idea what was being said on the first impression video.

[Guff]

After watching the second video, I really want the Subaru version instead of the Scion one. I like it's more subtle aggressiveness, and I can't really explain why.

When I first saw the two compared, I was Scion all the way, but now...

This can't be good for me...

[Zaku]

Originally Posted by Guff

After watching the second video, I really want the Subaru version instead of the Scion one. I like it's more subtle aggressiveness, and I can't really explain why.

When I first saw the two compared, I was Scion all the way, but now...

This can't be good for me...

You can be a tester like me Guff, and create a FRZ FRS with BRZ front O_O or vise versa ! XD

[Guff]

Originally Posted by Zaku

You can be a tester like me Guff, and create a FRZ FRS with BRZ front O_O or vise versa ! XD

Haha, maybe i'll do that!! If it doesn't require major surgery, that is...

But the one thing I know for sure, is that if I get the BRZ, that vent thing is getting replaced with the FRS/86 Vent thing.

I need that badge!!!

[tripjammer]

Man I love those freaking headlights!

[swift996]

Guff I agree, it has some nice lines, I just don't like that black plastic piece across the front bumper. It looks great in some limited light because you don't see it. I wish they just did without, it would make it look much more aggressive but with style.

Anyone else getting really excited about the handling possibilities of this car? Some thicker sway bars, quality coilovers, and wider tires? I'd like to get rid of that fender gap (nothing too drastic) and stiffen up the overall suspension. Putting some wider tires out back will increase the grip. I did this set up on a RX8 I had many years ago and it handled as good as my Porsche 911 (if not better in low speed turns).

Finally a car to get excited about! I'm tired of seeing new cars that I have to wait many years to depreciate so I can afford.

[MF_DEUCE]

Would it be considered "unMANly" if I cried after watching the first video?

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by swift996

Guff I agree, it has some nice lines, I just don't like that black plastic piece across the front bumper. It looks great in some limited light because you don't see it. I wish they just did without, it would make it look much more aggressive but with style.

Agreed - it looks like some kind of automotive orthodontic retainer!

Putting some wider tires out back will increase the grip. I did this set up on a RX8 I had many years ago and it handled as good as my Porsche 911 (if not better in low speed turns).

Isn't that just going to increase the understeer and unbalance the handling? True you can compensate with stiffer rear antiroll/spring/shock but then you are reducing the day-to-day driveability of the car. The 86 (as the engineers and the Toyota CEO have made abundantly clear) isn't about ultimate grip but balance and poise - having fun going fast in a "slow" car. My father had a 911, and while it was a thrill to drive I was always on the verge of kissing my license goodbye in it because it was practically impossible to keep myself from vastly exceeding speed limits - the car was so capable it was almost boring to drive otherwise.

[///KM]

To expand upon the translations of the second video:

1) Boxer engine feel - under full acceleration, the engine response is very good. The moment you press on the gas, the vehicle responds in kind by directly moving forward.

2) Engine sound in the cabin - Intake sound is very good in-cabin. Press on the gas, and the engine responds with a great intake noise made possible with a naturally aspirated engine that fills the cabin. However, cruising at 100km/h (62mph) the vehicle remains quiet, and you can carry on a normal conversation with a passenger.

3) High-speed impression at 160km/h (~100mph) - Even at 160km/h, the vehicle remains extremely stable for a 2WD car.

4) Low center of gravity driving position - the driving position is very low, and it feels as if you're sitting on the road. Due to the fact that you're driving so close to the road, it is very easy to drive. I feel that a lower driving position makes a car easier to drive than a higher driving position. Even with a low driving position, visibility is ample. This is probably due to the fact that the hood is so low as a product of the engine being mounted low as well.

5) Transmission feel - the transmission feels very good. Direct yet supple, gears fall into place easily. The vibrations that are transmitted to your hand from the shifter also feel very good.

6) Steering feel - steering feels good: very calm, delicate. It's not too light nor too heavy, and transmits road conditions to the driver. Wiggling the steering wheel left & right at high speeds still feels stable. (Demonstrates a higher speed slalom) I feel some lateral G-forces, but I never get the feeling that the tires are losing contact with the road. It's VERY stable. If I tried this maneuver at this speed on the usual 2WD cars, it would start to feel unstable, but not this car. It's not at all scary.

7) Cornering feel - This car feels glued to the road. This is the first time I've felt this. It's as if the car is telling me, "you can go faster". Maintaining grip on the 4 tires breeds peace of mind, as well as speed. To that point, the BRZ is absolutely glued to the road. Brake, accelerate, brake, accelerate - the car responds to each command meticulously. Turning the steering wheel, the car keeps rotating. This type of setting is very difficult to achieve. I don't think there are many cars in the world that has handling this good.

8) Impressions when getting into the vehicle - I get the impression of "man fitting with machine". The seats, while thin, are firm. The position of the steering wheel, shifter, and various knobs and switches are placed in a manner that are suited to the driver. This type of experience is rare in other cars.

The BRZ is a pure handling machine, a very rare position in among the cars of today.

[Liftcontrol]

Originally Posted by ///KM

To expand upon the translations of the second video:

1) Boxer engine feel - under full acceleration, the engine response is very good. The moment you press on the gas, the vehicle responds in kind by directly moving forward.

2) Engine sound in the cabin - Intake sound is very good in-cabin. Press on the gas, and the engine responds with a great intake noise made possible with a naturally aspirated engine that fills the cabin. However, cruising at 100km/h (62mph) the vehicle remains quiet, and you can carry on a normal conversation with a passenger.

3) High-speed impression at 160km/h (~100mph) - Even at 160km/h, the vehicle remains extremely stable for a 2WD car.

4) Low center of gravity driving position - the driving position is very low, and it feels as if you're sitting on the road. Due to the fact that you're driving so close to the road, it is very easy to drive. I feel that a lower driving position makes a car easier to drive than a higher driving position. Even with a low driving position, visibility is ample. This is probably due to the fact that the hood is so low as a product of the engine being mounted low as well.

5) Transmission feel - the transmission feels very good. Direct yet supple, gears fall into place easily. The vibrations that are transmitted to your hand from the shifter also feel very good.

6) Steering feel - steering feels good: very calm, delicate. It's not too light nor too heavy, and transmits road conditions to the driver. Wiggling the steering wheel left & right at high speeds still feels stable. (Demonstrates a higher speed slalom) I feel some lateral G-forces, but I never get the feeling that the tires are losing contact with the road. It's VERY stable. If I tried this maneuver at this speed on the usual 2WD cars, it would start to feel unstable, but not this car. It's not at all scary.

7) Cornering feel - This car feels glued to the road. This is the first time I've felt this. It's as if the car is telling me, "you can go faster". Maintaining grip on the 4 tires breeds peace of mind, as well as speed. To that point, the BRZ is absolutely glued to the road. Brake, accelerate, brake, accelerate - the car responds to each command meticulously. Turning the steering wheel, the car keeps rotating. This type of setting is very difficult to achieve. I don't think there are many cars in the world that has handling this good.

8) Impressions when getting into the vehicle - I get the impression of "man fitting with machine". The seats, while thin, are firm. The position of the steering wheel, shifter, and various knobs and switches are placed in a manner that are suited to the driver. This type of experience is rare in other cars.

The BRZ is a pure handling machine, a very rare position in among the cars of today.

Awesome! Thanks!

[Abflug]

I am starting to like the Subaru front more!

Thanks for the post!