BRZ is a dazzling performer
I REALLY can’t believe the twaddle some motoring pundits churn out.
People who have grown up with the latest batch of turbocharged GTIs don’t realise what a high-power, non-turbo engine can do – or how to drive one!
They compare turbo and naturally aspirated cars, and say a turbo “gives 50% more power”.
Absolutely true – but nowhere near as pure a driving experience. That’s their loss as far as I’m concerned.
The car in question was the Subaru BRZ that I drove and I would rather have it over any turbo or supercharged hot hatch.
It is a stonking, bedazzling performer in just about every way. OK its “only” got 197bhp from 2.0-litres, when with a turbo, others can get 300bhp.
But they don’t delight the senses like this stunningly beautiful coupe, and most of them are front-wheel drive, where the BRZ has drive to the rear – where it should be for a sports car.
The performance is fantastic – as long as you keep it in the power band between 4,000 and 7,400 revs.
Let it drop lower and the power drops away somewhat. That’s what I meant about some drivers – perhaps of more tender years than yours truly – knowing how to drive it.
They are used to turbos, which pull from much lower revs, but they also run out of steam much sooner.
Not only does it rev beautifully, it sounds superb too – always a plus for an old petrolhead like me – or anyone who loves cars and driving!
During my tenure, it also returned 36mpg, which is very, very good for such an out-and-out sporting car.
The Subaru BRZ is an absolute stunner, beautiful to gaze upon and an absolute delight to drive. I want one. The Subaru BRZ SE Lux Nav I drove costs £28,495.