Last week the 2016 Subaru BRZ made its way into Canadian showrooms, maintaining its starting price from last year at $27,395.
Automotive critics are saying that along with the price remaining the same, there are virtually no changes made to the Canadian spec BRZ from previous years’ models, and that it’s overdue for a revamp. Since Canada is the only market around the globe where sales are up over 2015 on the BRZ, no changes should be good news since fans of the model will know exactly what to expect.
If you’re pursuing a career as a mechanic, you probably know that when car models stay the same over a number of years, the consistency can make repairs much easier. Problem areas in the vehicle’s engine, transmission, or suspension become a lot simpler to predict and diagnose as compared to “new and improved” versions that come out each year.
Read on for more details on the interesting history of the BRZ’s design as well as the specs of the 2016 model.
The Automotive Partnership that Developed the BRZ
It may seem strange to students in mechanic colleges that Subaru released a rear-wheel drive vehicle, considering that the majority of their line-up offers all-wheel drive. That’s because the car’s design wasn’t originally their idea; it was Toyota’s.
The Toyota 86 is a series of sports cars that feature a boxer engine, front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout with 2+2 seating. When Subaru was first approached to manufacture the series, they turned down the offer. Six months later, a few Subaru engineers were invited to test drive a prototype, were impressed with the capabilities of the platform, and agreed to sign-on.
Manufactured solely by Subaru, the 86 is sold worldwide under three different brands with respective model names:
- Toyota 86 in Asia, South Africa, South America and Australia
- Subaru BRZ worldwide
- Scion FR-S in Canada and the US
What you’ll probably find most impressive about these models – apart from their sleek look – is the engine design and placement that allow for superior handling. The boxer engine sits far back and low in the engine bay, giving it a weight distribution of 53% in front and 47% in the rear.
The low-sitting engine provides a lower center of gravity, allowing the engine to sit lower than the Nissan GTR and just 0.6 inches higher than the Lexus LFA.
Automotive Specs of the 2016 Subaru BRZ
If you’re an aspiring auto technician, you’ll find it impressive that the BRZ’s boxer engine is naturally aspirated, which makes for decent fuel economy for a six-speed car. It’s capable of 100km of highway driving per 7.0L of fuel. The engine delivers 200hp at 7000rpm and also uniquely combines direct injection and port injection technology.
Drivers get to choose between manual or automatic six-speed transmissions and both transmissions have been engineered and tuned for maximum performance and offer a sporty driving feel.
Here’s a quick peek at the Subaru BRZ STI performance concept unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in 2015:
Getting ready to launch your career in auto? What changes would you suggest Subaru make on the next BRZ?
