The 2022 Subaru BRZ sports car has just been revealed, boasting new styling, a completely redone interior, and a 2.4-litre boxer four-cylinder engine with more power and torque. Subaru says this rear-wheel-drive 2+2 sports car will be the lightest on the market.
One of the biggest gripes against the BRZ was the 2.0L flat-four engine, with many fans calling for more power. Subaru says the upgraded engine is all-new; it's a 2.4L version that is direct and port injected for 228 hp at 7,000 rpm and 184 lb-ft at 3,700. This time, both the close-ratio six-speed manual transmission and the optional downshift-blipping six-speed automatic are rated for the same power level, whereas before the stick got 205 hp, the auto got 200 hp. Peak power is at the same RPM as the old engine, but the max torque, up from 156 lb-ft on the current-gen, arrives far more quickly than the 6,400 rpm of old.
The use of high-strength steel in the pillars gives excellent visibility, Subaru says, with new sport bucket seats to keep the driver and front passenger in place. A new 7.0-inch digital dash offers a configurable display with special track mode gauges, while an 8.0-inch infotainment screen in the centre console is fitted with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The dash has been extensively redesigned and made much more angular than before.
Subaru says that an aluminum hood, roof, and fenders help trim weight from the car, making it "the lightest rear-wheel-drive 2+2 production sports car in the Canadian market" at just 1,277 kg. The wheelbase has been extended by about 4 mm to 2,575, but still has the same weight distribution as before with increased stiffness. Reinforced subframes and mounting points account for much of that stiffness, which should increase turn-in, as should the quicker steering rack. Five stability control settings are available with the system allowing more driver input before taking over.
While the roofline and greenhouse look like the current car, it is about 13 mm lower than before, and Subaru says the greenhouse is shorter. A new nose with LED running lights and a wide lower grille is set off by the bulging fenders that look wider both front and rear. The rear fenders, combined with the new taillights, make the trunk lid look positively tiny, but closer inspection suggests it may be the same as before.
Subaru says the 2022 BRZ will arrive late next year, offering two trim levels that both offer the manual and automatic transmission.
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