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- Subaru's BRZ is new for 2022
- Horsepower is up a bit
- Subaru says new chassis is 50 percent stiffer
Subaru revealed the 2022 BRZ today, and while it looks a lot like the previous BRZ, it is in fact new, with more power, a new chassis and grippier tires.
No one outside Subaru has driven it yet but we did get a ride in one. And not just a leisurely lap around the block in front of the dealer’s lot. No, this ride was with former Formula 1 and Subaru Rallycross driver Scott Speed around the western (i.e more enjoyable) road course at the Thermal Club in the desert east of L.A. And man, was that fun.
Speed didn’t do one of those thrill rides where they fling the car sideways and squeal the tires, either. He followed the racing line, much more preferable in these situations when you’re trying to learn about the car. I was glad he did because I was most interested to know how the new tires performed. As you recall, the original tires were delightfully slippery, the same rubber used on the Toyota Prius. On the old BRZ you could break the tires loose way easily, maybe too easily. It was fun, as you could bring the car back in line at will, but racer purists said the car needed more grip.
Indeed, the Michelin Pilot Sport 245/40R18s front and 275/40R18 rear held on better, breaking loose at what felt like a later point and sliding less. I asked Speed what he felt was the difference between the two sets of treads.
“You do get better grip from the Michelins,” Speed said on our cool-down lap. “But the main thing is the balance the engineers have put into the chassis. The balance is still there.”
Indeed, the nearly 50/50 balance allowed Speed to hammer the prototype around the twisty track with ease. (Looking forward to getting behind the wheel myself sometime in fall, 2021.)
Other changes include a more powerful engine. This one is the naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat four shared with the Ascent. The new powerplant makes 228 hp compared to the old car’s 200/205 hp (depending on transmissions). Torque rises from 156 lb ft to 184. Transmission choices are again a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with paddle shifters and downshift blip control.
Subaru says the new chassis the car rides on really is all new. The last one was created using an assemblage of existing Subarus. This one is its own beast. It felt plenty stiff during my couple of laps in the passenger seat, and is supposed to represent a 50-percent increase in torsional stiffness, which is a lot. Curb weight is less than 2900 pounds, estimated.
It’s all wrapped in a new body. Subaru says no panels carry over from the previous model. The look is said to be covered with “focused and functional aerodynamic details.” The body is a bit more than an inch longer and half-inch lower. The greenhouse is narrower, with a classic “double bubble” look.
The interior is new, with a customizable seven-inch digital dashboard with tachometer in the center and a digital speedo directly in front of the driver. Over in the center of the dash is a new eight-inch infotainment touch screen with Subaru Starlink multimedia systems, including standard smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), as well as Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, rear vision and SiriusXM satellite radio.
No word yet on the next Toyota 86, which shares everything with the BRZ
