The fastest cars aren’t always the most fun. And for proof of that, look no further than the Subaru BRZ.
This is a sports car you can get the best out of at everyday speeds, just like its better-known twin, the Toyota GT86.
In 2008, Toyota chairman Katsuaki Watanabe decided he wanted an affordable 2+2 coupé, but his company was already at full production capacity and its development engineers were flat-out working on other projects. As a result, the Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ were, in fact, mostly a Subaru production.
Hirakawa promoted Subaru’s version of the car as more focused at the enthusiast than the Toyota. However, he admitted that the differences between the cars were limited to wheel design, badges and interior trim.
Their differences also come down to how approachable they are. There isn’t an abundance of grip in the BRZ, for one thing, because it sits on the same narrow rubber as the Toyota Prius.
This essentially feeds its fondness for shimmying beneath you, which makes sliding it – whether a little or a lot – a piece of cake. Everything here is so engaging, communicative, predictable and balanced that you always feel in full control, just like you do with every other true driver’s car.
You have direct, well-weighted steering and some fine chassis dynamics on your side – and of course there’s always the reassurance of electronic stability control, should you need ever it.
You will also find that, due to slightly different suspension set-ups, the BRZ is a tad firmer and thus sharper in the bends than the GT86.
