The Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 is perhaps the most unique collaboration in recent
decades. Subaru is well known for its boxer engine and all-wheel drive. Toyota
is well known for losing its soul and excitement with concentration on cars
designed for A-B use. Subaru's lack of all-wheel drive and Toyota's injection
of excitement with not much of a difference between the two has a lot of people
talking... and giving their opinion. Here's mine.
When I approach the Subaru BRZ S a smile grows on my face. Shining silver
with the black S kit including black STi wheels, it looks aggressive but
retains good style unlike the Toyota GT86 Aero styling. STi Docklands expert
Dale asks if I'd prefer manual or auto. Manuals are fun and pretty
straightforward. Automatic transmissions in sports cars are a great option for
suburban and city driving in thick traffic. I was keen to experience how the
automatic performs its changes up and down so I chose it.
I press the red STi start button and the engine barks into life. The burble
of the optional STi exhaust suggests I'm in for fun. Dale gives me a quick
overview of the drive settings; Sport, VSC and TCS and then I'm on my way. I've
never been more interested in driving an auto transmission. It’s common
knowledge the BRZ is Toyota's 86 and to add to this, the transmission is Lexus
technology.
The burble of the engine and exhaust excite me. The seating position is low
and looking out across the bonnet with bulging front wheel arches I get the
impression this car means business. The seat is completely comfortable and
holds my lanky frame well. One of the most annoying situations is trying to
hold yourself into a seat when cornering at high speeds. This seat design alleviates
this concern.
Left foot on the brake pedal, slot the gear selector into D and across into
Manual, let the handbrake off and I'm up for some fun. Rolling on automatic
idle speed out of Subaru Dockland's car park and it is evident the suspension
is tight. At car park speed it’s difficult to assume the level of performance
this car holds. I sedately accelerate out of the car park for the U-turn (hairpin
to any car enthusiast) on Lorimer St. An immature feeling tries to give me
reason to speed into the turn, use the handbrake, steering and accelerator
pedal to slide the car around. But I'm a responsible citizen and I don’t know
the car yet so this kind of fun will have to wait.
Getting comfortable and confident with this car comes as quickly as the
tacho needle moves through the rev range. Side, rear and forward visibility is
fine. The way this car is designed; chassis low to the ground, seating position
on the floor and extensive legroom makes it a great driver's car.
The engine is responsive and has good power through the rev range. It just
wants to keep going. On these urban roads I have to keep myself disciplined.
Downshifting as I slow to come to a stop at the red traffic lights, the
throttle blips. A real aggressive grunt! It’s an exciting sound and it turns heads
too.
This little sports coupe would not be seen as a family car but I wanted to
take the wife and kids for a drive. Having a 4 year-old and a 2 year-old means
fitting the child seats. Yes, they do fit! Forget the idea of taking a pram or
stroller though as the boot is far too small. The kids love the ride and more
specifically the little quarter glass between B and C pillar they think was designed
with them in mind.
The kids are now left behind at Grandma and Grandpa's. Time for touge, the
Japanese word for 'mountain pass', through the hills between Selby and Cardinia
Reservoir. The car lends itself well to the twisties. I'm not taking any risks
on the public road; no big commitments in braking or cornering speed. Steering
is responsive and direct. Balance is fine and settled on the undulations of the
roadway. The engine? Yeah, still fun.
Anybody who says these cars are seriously underpowered are those kind of
people who need power in a straight line because they don’t understand how to
commit to a corner. People without an understanding of driving skill. This
engine is well balanced and responsive. It’s in tune with the chassis. It would
feel at home revving hard highly committed through corners. It needs to run -
rally, hill climb, race track. Its awaiting competition.