New Subaru BRZ Sports Coupe

After the unveiling of the Toyota 86 (GT 86 in Europe) on Saturday, it's time for Subaru to take center stage with the presentation of its version of the jointly developed rear-wheel drive sports coupe in production guise.

The new BRZ was revealed today less than two weeks after Subaru exhibited the STI-badged concept model at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and just before the sports coupe makes its first public outing under the spotlight at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show on Wednesday, November 30.

To the surprise of no one, the production BRZ loses the concept’s neat aero-kit with the large rear wing and carbon-fiber parts, but no need to worry as it's almost certain that Subaru's STI division will offer either the same or similar components as an option in due time.

Even though we knew from day one that the Subaru BRZ, the Toyota 86 and the upcoming Scion FR-S were all jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, we had some hope that the cars might differ in appearance and flavor. As you can see for yourself, this never happened – at least with the BRZ and the 86.

From this first set of pictures, we see that the exterior styling changes between the BRZ and 86 are limited only to the re-sculptured front bumper, the alloy wheel designs, the fender trims and the tail lamp graphics (even the shape remains the same). We don't have any photos of the interior yet, but we’re willing to bet that there won't be any noticeable differences between the two cars.

The same goes for the mechanical hardware with the BRZ and the 86 sharing Subaru's 2.0-liter flat-four engine with Toyota’s “D-4S” direct injection and port injection technology, which is rated at 200-horsepower and 205Nm (151 lb-ft) of peak torque.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox with a short stroke shift lever or an optional six-speed automatic with paddle shifts on the steering wheel, while the BRZ also gets a specially tuned electronic stability control. The basic model will ride on 17-inch wheels wrapped around 215/45R17 rubber.

We could go on with the dimensions and the suspension setup but we'd be practically repeating what we said about the 86. In fact, come to think of it, we could have just swapped the words "Toyota" with "Subaru" and "86" with "BRZ" and be done with it. Too late now…

NEW SUBARU BRZ

Fiat Abarth 500 Takes on Subaru Impreza WRX STI on Italian Track

The Abarth 500, especially when fitted with the 'essesse' performance package that lifts the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine's output to 160-horses, is a capable little beast for its size and price, but is that enough to challenge a previous generation Subaru Impreza WRX STI on the racetrack?

Well, as any driver with some experience on the circuit will tell you, it’s as much about the car as it is about the person sitting behind the wheel. That said, the Abarth 500 shouldn't come close to an STI in the right hands but it's plausible under certain circumstances.

Youtube poster Marchettino says that he was able to chase the Impreza WRX STI –even though it was modded, which could potentially mean that it packed close to 300-ponies under its hood, with his Abarth 500.

"While driving at Franciacorta racetrack I played with a modified Subaru Impreza WRX Sti," said Marchettino. "I was also very surprised to keep up with such a fast car with my Abarth. Unfortunately, my GoPro HD [video camera] stopped to record the action for no reason!"

Subaru JDM Impreza STi Series with New S206

The good news for those wanting to burn some cash on a hot set of wheels is that Subaru has unwrapped a new special edition version of its Impreza STI sports sedan called the S206. The bad news isn't that only 300 will be built, but that all cars will be only available in Japan.

Billed by Subaru as the "crown of STI tuned cars", the new Impreza WRX STI S206 follows on from previous “S” versions, such as the S203, S204 and S205.

So what's special about the new STI model? Well, for starters, the S206 employs exclusive Bilstein dampers, STi coil springs, a flexible front tower bar and draw stiffener, which promise to further improve the car’s precise and quick cornering response.

The S206 rides on a new set of 19-inch BBS aluminum wheels, which have been designed exclusively for this model, and are shod in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

Under the hood, STi’s engineers have further honed the flat-four turbocharged engine by optimizing the weight balance between pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft in order to enhance the rev feel.

And that's not all as the 2.0-liter unit also gains a retuned ECU, an enhanced twin-scroll turbocharger and a reduced-back pressure exhaust system, all of which help increase output to 320HP and 431 Nm ( 318 lb-ft).

Subaru also claims that the S206 has quicker throttle response and delivers more torque in low- and mid-range revs, offering better drivability.

A lower front spoiler and new grille, different side sills and a rear spoiler designed exclusively for the S206 help improve its aerodynamics as well as distinguish it from the regular STIs, while the exclusive leather steering wheel, Recaro bucket seats with red seatbelts and the STI designed push engine start switch round out the changes.

Subaru also developed a special NBR Challenge Package for the S206, commemorating the Japanese firm's class win at the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race.

It features a carbon-fibre roof and rear spoiler, plus Nürburgring Challenge sticker and red door sills, and will be available in 100 units - or rather it would have been available if all 100 cars hadn’t already been spoken for in Japan…

[From Subaru Press Release]
Major equipment of Subaru Impreza S206
-Mechanism-STI tuned Bilstein upside down strut and STI coil springs for front suspension
STI tuned Bilstein damper and STI coil springs for rear suspension
S206 BBS designed 19-inch x 8 1/2J forged aluminum wheels (silver)
Michelin Pilot Super Sports 245/35ZR19(93Y) tires
Brembo 6-pot silver colored brake caliper with STI logo and 18-inch 2piece type drilled disk rotors for front brake
Brembo 4-pot silver colored brake caliper with STI logo and 18-inch drilled disk rotors for rear brake
STI designed flexible front strut tower brace
STI designed flexible draw stiffener, front
STI designed flexible support, rear
STI designed support, front kit
STI designed lateral rink with pillow ball bush (front inside, rear inside)
S206 engine balanced with STI
STI designed S206 ECU (Engine Control Unit)
S206 twin scroll ball bearing turbocharger
STI designed S206 sport muffler with lowered back pressure exhaust
Large intercooler with S206 logo
STI designed strengthened silicon intake duct
STI designed air cleaner element
S206 multi mode VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control)

-Interior-S206 RECARO designed front bucket seat
S206 seat fabric, ALCANTARA® with black punching / red base, leather seat support (dark gray) with silver stitch
S206 door trim & centered arm rest (black ALCANTARA® with silver stitch)
S206 dark red colored seat belt
S206 silver side sill plate with S206 logo (front)
S206 leather lapped steering wheel with STI logo and silver stitch
STI designed leather shift knob with STI logo and leather shift bootS206 leather side brake boot
STI designed push engine start switch (red with STI logo)
S206 serial number plate (console, engine compartment)

-Exterior-S206 large front under spoiler
S206 front fender outlet grille
Aluminum front hood
STI designed trunk lip spoiler
S206 badges on front grille and rear gate
STI designed side garnish with STI logo (black metallic)
-Exclusive for NBR CHALLENGE PACKAGECarbon
roof
S206 dry carbon rear spoiler (2 angle adjustable with S206 logo)
BBS designed 19-inch x 8 1/2J cast aluminum wheels (black)
S206 Nürburgring Challenge sticker (rear)
S206 red side sill plate with S206 logo (front)