From a design standpoint, the new BRZ is more of an evolution than a revolution over the first generation of the Japanese coupe. The Sketch Monkey believes that Subaru could have done better, though.
Marouane Bembli is particularly displeased by two lines that dip very fast on the side profile. With the magic of Photoshop, the pixel wizard straightened up those design motifs and connected them to the shoulder line on the door. The changes don’t end here, though. The side vents integrated into the front bumper have been narrowed, cleaning up the fascia while emphasizing the black plastic grille in the center.
The bone-stock wheels have been switched with a more concave design featuring a larger diameter and ten spokes, though in the real world, that sidewall would translate into a choppy ride. “But it’s a sports car! It isn’t meant to be comfortable!” I get it, you do have a point, but don’t forget that daily driving is common among BRZ owners.
Given the poor condition of the U.S. road network, low-profile tires will fail more often than the 215/45 R17s or 215/40 R18s of the 2022 BRZ. Subaru has opted for Michelin Pilot Sport 4 for this application, which is a very good choice for both dry and wet driving.
The two-door coupe twinned with the Toyota GR 86 features a larger engine than before, which cranks out 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet (249 Nm) of torque without resorting to forced induction. The Japanese automaker has also widened the rear track for better stability, reinforced the suspension’s mounting points, and retuned the struts up front to improve cornering.
Subaru is promising 50 percent more torsional rigidity than the previous BRZ, which is exactly what you want from a sports car in the twisties. On that note, what do you think about the newcomer? Is it good enough at $30,000 or thereabouts right off the bat, or would you rather spend those bucks on a Ford Mustang with the EcoBoost?
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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