Subaru BRZ STI Concept

Subaru’s rear-drive BRZ takes shape with this STI, but it may not have a turbo.

 It’s about time Subaru started revealing some BRZ sheet metal, as we’ve been watching Toyota hog the limelight for over a year with the FT-86 and Scion FR-S concept cars. All the while, Subaru showed us only engine and suspension mockups. Although the BRZ STI is technically a concept, the production BRZ won’t look much different when it makes its debut soon at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. Of all the concepts shown thus far, I like the original Toyota FT-86 concept and this BRZ STI the best.

At 166.7 inches long with a 101.2-in.wheelbase, the BRZ competes with the VW Golf and Honda Civic in overall size, but is rear drive. What’s more the 2+2 seating arrangement means the weekend racer can put an extra set of wheels in the back.

The base Subaru is expected to be equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter flat-4, perhaps with as much as 200 bhp. Subaru says the STI won’t have a turbocharger, but we have our doubts. The concept shown here at Los Angles features a staggered tire setup with 215/45R-18s in front and 225/45R-18s out back. Autocrossers hope that a 255/40-17 can fit without needing to roll a fender, as is the case on the Honda S2000.

The quad exhaust tips seem like overkill for a naturally aspirated engine, and may be proof that Subaru is pulling our leg about the STI being naturally aspirated. Let’s hope so. If the car has about 200 bhp, that drag-inducing wing and diffuser won’t make much sense. The weight reducing carbon-fiber roof helps reduce the car’s center of gravity, but engineers say the BRZ’s CG is already lower than a Porsche Boxster’s.

 The quad exhaust tips seem like overkill for a naturally aspirated engine, and may be proof that Subaru is pulling our leg about the STI being naturally aspirated. Let’s hope so. If the car has about 200 bhp, that drag-inducing wing and diffuser won’t make much sense. The weight reducing carbon-fiber roof helps reduce the car’s center of gravity, but engineers say the BRZ’s CG is already lower than a Porsche Boxster’s.

If Subaru is not going to squeeze the engine with turbo boost, I hope the production BRZ weighs less than a Miata. We eagerly await the news.

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