We’ve got our first official peak at the 2022 Subaru BRZ. Sadly it’s not coming to the UK, but does give us a good idea of what to expect when the 2022 Toyota GT86 arrives…
Here it is, the second generation 2022 Subaru BRZ. First thing you’ll want to know is that no, there isn’t a turbo in sight. Instead, power comes from a 2.4-litre, naturally-aspirated engine which produces 228bhp, up from 197bhp in the first generation car, as well as a 15% increase in torque to 184lb ft. Subaru has been able to mount this engine lower than previously, resulting in a lower centre of gravity and hopefully improved dynamics.
Buyers will be pleased to hear that the formula is still the same, a sports car with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. You can option an automatic, too, as you could on the car that arrived in 2012, but we’d recommend going for the manual.
Subaru is claiming near perfect weight distribution on this second generation car, with the body being slightly longer than on the previous car. It comes in at 1315kg, which makes it around 173bhp-per-tonne. The use of a strut and coil spring set up at the front has helped to reduce weight, too, while a reinforced mounting system has helped improve front lateral bending rigidity by 60% according to Subaru, which in turn aims to improve turn-in and response.
On the outside, the redesign has seen more pronounced front bumpers introduced, alongside larger side vents which all reduce drag. According to Subaru, the air pushed through the larger vents are directed towards the rear deck spoiler, aiding downforce at speed.
Inside, Subaru has spruced up the BRZ with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, utilising Subaru’s latest Starlink system, as well as a 7.9inch digital driver display which features a large rev counter in the middle, but changes when Track model is selected to display a graph-style counter instead.
As mentioned above, the 2022 Subaru BRZ won’t go on sale in the UK; however, the mechanically-identical Toyota GT86 is expected to go on sale here next year, with the BRZ going on sale in the US in late 2021.
