The 2022 Subaru BRZ has been revealed ahead of a late 2021 Australian release date. Still a small sports coupe with a rear-wheel drive layout, a Boxer engine at the front and a promise of pure driving pleasure, the new BRZ has been updated with new styling, a new interior and even a larger engine for more performance.
Subaru Australia General Manager, Blair Read, said: “It’s tremendously exciting to get these first glimpses into second generation BRZ.
“This car gave the whole sports segment a massive shake when it originally launched in 2012 and based on what we know so far about the second generation, we’ve got very high hopes for its ongoing appeal in Australia.”
The original Subaru BRZ (and its Toyota 86 twin) set enthusiasts’ passions alive upon their release in 2012 as Australians especially had not seen affordable RWD sports cars for a long time. Helping the BRZ’s case was a 2.0-litre Boxer engine mounted low, a sweet RWD chassis and relatively low weight which ensured the twins were mega fun to drive, and importantly for a lot of enthusiasts, a big aftermarket scene had developed for owners to modify their cars.
The next generation of BRZ looks to be based on the same platform as the previous model, though Subaru (and presumably Toyota too, which is yet to reveal the 86) has fitted a larger 170kW/249Nm (18kW and 37Nm more than the current model) 2.4-litre four-cylinder Boxer engine that should give a nice performance boost. Transmissions remain a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
Despite being based on the same platform as before, Subaru claims that the new BRZ has achieved a 50 per cent increase in torsional stiffness, and 60 per cent greater front lateral bending rigidity thanks to a range of structural tweaks.
The 2022 Subaru BRZ’s styling is familiar but more curvaceous this time around, with larger rear hips and tailights, as well as a more aggressive front end. Measuring 4.26m long, 1.77m wide, 1.31m high and with a 2.57m long wheelbase, the 2022 Subaru BRZ is 20cm longer, the same width, slightly taller and with an identical wheelbase to the current model.
18-inch alloy wheels are now standard equipment, and unlike the previous model’s eco-friendly tyres, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres are standard too. A limited-slip differential is also standard.
The interior of the 2022 Subaru BRZ is more modern than before with a new 8.0-inch centre touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as newer materials and more storage than before. Interestingly, the steering wheel is identical to the previous model, though the 7.0-inch driver’s display is new and has normal and track modes for drivers to use.
Active safety kit has seen big improvements with the addition of equipment such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control – though only on the six-speed automatic, which is quite disappointing for those wanting to shift gears themselves, especially when a Toyota Yaris GR offers the same kit with a manual.
More details, including local specs and performance figures, of the 2022 Subaru BRZ will be revealed ahead of the car’s Australian launch in late 2021.
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