PURE AND SIMPLE

Subaru’s sharp coupe is all about the drive, writes Matt Allan

Subaru is famous in this country for two things – chunky SUVS beloved of rural types and bright blue saloons with gold alloys and inyour-face body kits.

The SUVS are still going strong, and the XV aims to broaden their appeal to a more urban set, but the livewire super-saloons of old are no more.

Thankfully, Subaru hasn’t completely abandoned its and, in the shape of the brz coupe, still has something to catch the eye of the enthusiastic motorist.

The appeal of the brz is a simple one–it’ s a straightforward sports car that gives you everything you need to have fun and not a lot of the unnecessary extras.

Unusually for a Subaru, there’s n of our-wheel-drive. the 197bhp from the front-mounted boxer engine is all delivered to the back wheels, and there’ s a limited-slip differential.

Given the outputs of most modern hot hatches, 197bhp might not sound like much for a sports car, and, in truth, the BRZ’S 7.6-second 0-62mph time isn’t earth-shattering but the thing with the br zisn’ t how quickly you get up to speed but how you use and maintain that speed once you’re there.

This isn’t simply a foot-down-hang-on “fast car”, it’s one that properly engages the driver. It feels lively and fun even at low speeds and the manageable amount of power, linear delivery and relatively skinny tyres mean you can really get involved in the experience without going dangerously fast.

Find a winding section of road and the nimble little BRZ dances through corners with impeccable body control, carrying its speed with ease. Really press on and the rear end will loosen up but in a very benign way – a twitch of the right foot will bring it back into line.

Where some manufacturers seem to believe that heavy steering equates to sportthe brz feels fairly light but it’s full of feel and immediately direct. A little nudge here and the long, low nose adjusts just the right amount. It’s clearly power assisted but despite being an electric system it feels impressively natural and mechanical.

The only letdown in the whole driving experience is the brakes, which really need more bite. For a sporty car they take a lot of work to slow things down.

Inside, the Subaru’s cabin leaves you in no doubt that this is a driver-focused car. You’re held in place by grippy Al can tara-covered sports seats, the short-throw gear lever just the right distance away. in front of you, dominating the dashboard is a massive rev counter, flanked by a speedometer and trip computer.

Beyond those the interior is straightforward if a little dull. A 6.2-inch touchscreen houses Subaru’s Starlink media system and there’s dual-zone climate control plus heated seats and driver aids such as automatic lights and keyless entry and start. the look and feel suggestthat far more time has been spent honing the car’s on-road behaviour than its creature comforts but that’s no massive cause for complaint.

Subaru says the BRZ is a 2+2 but it’ s useless as anything more than a two-seater – the rear seats are good for a bottle of screenwash but not much else. At least you can fit the weekly shop in the boot, as long as you don’t pack the bags too high.

But these are secondary considerations.

The BRZ wasn’t designed to be a jack of all trades, it was designed, says Subaru, to be a back-to-basics sports car and it nails that brief brilliantly.