NEW SUBARU BRZ

Subaru had good reason to go exclusively all-wheel-drive in the NZ market. If a car was to change this AWD-only mantra, it had to have serious kerb appeal and driving characteristics that would compel enthusiasts to form an orderly queue. That trend-bucking car is the new BRZ coupe and it officially arrives in April as a batch of just 10 identical cars. Like the advance test car pictured, all will feature WR Blue paintwork, a six-speed manual transmission and the top tS specification.

Central to this car’s appeal are that manual gearshift and a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated flat-four driving the rear wheels. A limited slip differential enhances a familiar formula, although improvements to the original BRZ recipe are extensive. Power and torque outputs are much improved compared with the previous 2.0-litre motor, all suspension rates are significantly firmer than before, uprated Brembo brakes make a guest appearance, and engineers have achieved a 50 percent improvement in the torsional rigidity of the chassis. A kerb weight of 1280kg will make WRX drivers envious.

So the recipe seems ripe for an engaging drive regardless of journey distance and that’s exactly what transpired during our memorable week. The bottom line is this BRZ is faster, more agile, better controlled and basically more grown-up. Yet it’s still immense fun. This time round, Subaru’s free-spinning boxer engine goes usefully harder and makes a much more emphatic statement when worked hard. And you must work it hard. It really comes on song from 4000rpm, by which time peak torque is already on tap and you’ve got a further 3500rpm to the redline. Yes, there’s more power to play with, but it’s all usable on the right road.

Balance remains as balletic as ever. Cornering poise is deeply impressive: a low centre of gravity helps the BRZ turn into bends crisply and carry plenty of speed securely with little protest from sticky Michelin Pilot 4s. They’re modest 215/40s on 18-inch alloys but this rubber offers all the grip and composure you need. Quick standing-start getaways are also easy to execute smoothly. The clutch and gearshift are well weighted and the shift action nicely defined. Some notchiness is apparent through the gate but it’s in keeping with the car’s slightly raw character. Note that the big increase in torsional rigidity means the STi-tuned suspension does not adversely impact ride quality, which seems perfectly acceptable for a car of this nature. Our only gripe was increased front axle or suspension noise on smooth roads at city speeds.

Exterior design is more eye-catching and better proportioned than ever with just the right amount of visual interest in the details. Dark-grey alloys complement crystal black silica door mirrors and contrast with gold-painted Brembo calipers. Less might be more is our view of the BRZ tS badging on both the nose and bootlid and red BRZ logos in the front headlights.

Inside, seats are set low (the hip point has apparently dropped 5mm, or enough to make a difference to driver visibility) and the fronts offer good travel and lateral support in particular. They’re nicely finished in black Ultrasuede with Bordeaux (deep red) leather accents. STI is embossed on the front seat bolsters. The cabin also features an STI red push start button and an exclusive instrument cluster with more Bordeaux highlights. While day-to-day usability remains very good for a 2+2 coupe, a full-size spare wheel took us by surprise when we lifted the bespoilered boot lid. It certainly takes up a fair chunk of boot space but carrying a full-sizer gives extra peace of mind.

On the safety front, Subaru has overcome initial hurdles and managed to integrate its EyeSight Driver Assist technology into manual transmission BRZs. The safety and convenience benefits are without question. The package includes adaptive cruise, lane keeping assistance, brake light recognition and pre-collision braking. It’s easy to disengage lane departure warnings and the calibration of other features means they’re in the background and usually unintrusive when you’re enjoying the car to its potential. The EyeSight hardware is fitted inside the top of the windscreen, at either side of the rear view mirror. You can only tell it’s a late addition by the way it restricts sunvisor travel.

Overall the new BRZ is a more complete car and a much more competent performer. Importantly, its performance is still entirely usable and its limits entertainingly accessible. Few cars demand to be driven like this one and few cars at any price feel so intuitive and balanced when you’re dialled into their performance. The purity of the driving experience makes this BRZ a sure-fire future classic and the excellent equipment list strengthens its cause.