Review: Subaru BRZ Limited Edition

If you're looking for a naturally aspirated 2-door sports car you've got quite the array of vehicles to choose from, almost every manufacture makes a car to fit this category, but which one is best? After getting behind the wheel of both the Mx-5 and the 86 I could clearly say the 86 was better, but after getting into the BRZ things may have just changed. Although the 86 and the BRZ are practically the same as it was a joint work between the two companies there is just something about the BRZ that lifts me a little more than the 86. Something about its feel and all round ambiance makes it a completely different car. As expected it does drive and sound like the 86, thats just science. But to me it just felt better, smoother more at one with the car.

The BRZ looks amazing, the sleek styling and race look really turns heads. Also the rear spoiler really adds to the rear of the car making it look aggressive and beast-like. The interior is also amazing, but like the BRZ the difference between the base model and the Premium aren't a lot. Leather instead of cloth, sat-nav and dual climate control is included. Not a whole lot in the scheme of things. However if you're looking to add some aggressiveness to the BRZ they have a few upgrade packs available that change the look, feel and ride of the car. There is the Style pack that involves some cosmetic enhances such as front lip, rear diffuser, side skirts and boot lip or the drivers package. This includes tower strut bar, coil springs front and rear, upgraded gear shifter and flexible draw stiffener for the front end. Put these both together and you get the S-Pack pretty much the BRZ STI as you also get STI start button, STI wheels and a 'S' badge. All in all, probably not necessary but if you feel the need to blow an extra $7000 on nothing, go for it. The handling of the BRZ is spectacular with the low center of gravity creating a very maneuverable and nippy car, with little to no body roll. This makes cornering a breeze. Coupled with the light weight and the punchy 2L boxer engine under the hood, this makes for a great little sports car. Although it is a naturally aspirated 2L engine it still gets up and goes, and you can feel that when you're behind the wheel. Obviously its not going to have the massive

amounts of acceleration a turbo engine is going to give you but gives you a generous and even amount of power through the rev range. Creating a very even and enjoyable car. But it doesn't just drive well, the engine note is almost heavenly with really no need to have a radio at all. The BRZ and 86 car has a nifty little tube that runs off the intake straight into the drivers foot-well, now if this is becoming to loud or annoying for you it is easily sealed with the 12v socket cap from your center console. Cheeky, nifty, beautiful and easily fixed. But personally I love it, the noise coming into the cabin is absolutely amazing, gives the perfect engine note every time. The gearbox in the BRZ is awesome, the gears are close and it almost felt like home driving it. Being able to mash the accelerator then mash the clutch and change gears perfectly every time, it was just great. ​

Overall the BRZ is an amazing car, its nifty, it looks stunning, high tech and everything you would want in a cheap race car. However there is a few downsides. The cost of the BRZ is a little bit more than the 86 coming in at $36K for the base model and then going up, plus as much as I can love it, its still naturally aspirated and not pumping out the numbers that it could. But overall still a lovely car that will not break the gas pump but still give you a hell of a drive.

Specifications: 2017 Subaru BRZ Limited Edition

Engine: 2.0L 4-Cylinder Flat Boxer

Power: 152kW 203HP

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual / 6 Speed Auto

Length: 4,240mm (166.9 In)

Width: 1,775mm (69.8 In)

Height: 1,320mm (51.9 In)

Weight: 1242Kgs