While Subaru showed the performance STI version of its BRZ sports coupe at the Los Angeles Auto Show last month, the world premiere of the standard model was saved for the Tokyo Motor Show.
The rear-wheel-drive BRZ doesn’t comply with Subaru Australia’s ‘All All-Wheel-Drive’ brand philosophy and at this stage the local company has committed to a BRZ introduction ‘downunder’. Subaru Australia chief Nick Senior says he will decide by Christmas if the BRZ will be included in the local lineup when sales start next year.
Of course the Subaru BRZ is a joint development with Toyota’s 86 and while looks are similar, the BRZ runs its own front grille and front fender air vents. There are also unique Subaru styling cues inside.
The 147kW/205Nm 2.0-litre boxer engine with Toyota direct fuel injection and Toyota transmissions are common to both vehicles.
Toyota Australia is planning on selling more than 100 86s per month so perhaps a solution for Subaru Australia’s product planners would be to go more up-scale and limit local BRZs to the high performance (and more expensive) STI version to cater for more advanced enthusiast drivers.
Either way it would be shame of the excellent Subaru BRZ didn’t make it to our shores.
