C&D Instrumented Road Test - Subaru BR-Z Automatic

[AO River]

Highs:
Synaptic steering and braking, remarkable balance and poise, looks turn heads, high value for dollar.

Lows:
Tractor-esque engine note, mid-rpm torque dip, frustrating touch-screen display, automatic saps already modest power.

Specifications>
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE AS TESTED: $29,365 (base price: $27,365)
ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 16-valve flat-4, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement: 122 cu in, 1998 cc
Power: 200 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque: 151 lb-ft @ 6400 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 101.2 in
Length: 166.7 in
Width: 69.9 inHeight: 50.6 in
Curb weight: 2814 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 7.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 20.1 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 7.9 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 4.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.8 sec @ 92 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 139 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 173 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.90 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 25/34 mpg
C/D observed: 24mpg

Full Article:
2013 Subaru BRZ Automatic – Review – Car and Driver

[AO River]

SNOOZE-mobile. The automatic stealing what little power it started with.

[AO River]

Thoughts? Anybody?

[awd-gg]

If GM are making AT Corvettes for years.... there is NO reason why Subaru shouldn't be selling auto BRZ!

[AO River]

Corvette has more than double the HP. Adding a slushbox to the BRZ, not really sure why anyone would choose the BRZ over similarly priced FWD cars with more power.

People will buy it...just not sure why.

[Looby]

Originally Posted by AO River

Thoughts? Anybody?

Just one.

Who'd be stupid enough to pay Miata prices for an ugly 2-seat cage?

...OTOH, that red stitching is a sure-fire chick magnet,

Looby

[AO River]

Originally Posted by Looby

Just one.

Who'd be stupid enough to pay Miata prices for an ugly 2-seat cage?

...OTOH, that red stitching is a sure-fire chick magnet,

Looby

Exactly. Who would choose the BRZ over a Miata?

[jwvess00]

Hi there!

Give the BRZ two things and I'm in (assuming a manual transmission):
1) Convertible top
2) AWD

[AO River]

^ More power should be number one! But I agree that a vert BRZ would be nice, except that vert+AWD would be heavy as ****.

[Looby]

Originally Posted by AO River

.. vert+AWD would be heavy as ****.

The BR-Z is already 300 lbs heavier than a Miata, and a ragtop
version would require significant reenforcement of the chassis
to make up for the loss of strength/stiffness from the roof.

A good convertible must be designed from the start as a
convertible.

Looby