Turbo Subaru BRZ in the Works
Via Left Lane and Autoblog, it appears a turbocharged version of the well-received Subaru BRZ sports coupe is under development. Concerning the engine, Left Lane reports:
The boxer engine will feature a single twin-scroll turbocharger to help reduce lag and a direct fuel injection system that Subaru is developing on its own. Thanks to these and other internal modifications, the flat-four will make up to 280 horsepower and 250 lb-ft. of torque, a big bump over the normally-aspirated BRZ’s 200 ponies and 151 lb-ft. of twist.
So, assuming a roughly 200-lb weight gain for the turbo, associated plumbing and drivetrain and suspension reinforcement, 280 hp in a 3,000-lb car is still a recipe for a mighty tasty power-to-weight ratio. If the stock car can sprint to 60 mph in the mid-6-second range, I’d estimate the mid/low 5s for the turbocharged variant.
The big question is whether Toyota/Subaru can retain the car’s delightful balance and sublime driving qualities in spite of the numbing effect of additional power. We’ll have to wait on the road tests for the answer, but my hunch is they can, given that it’s “only” an 80-hp bump. And if the turbo BRZ ventures too far into pony car territory, we’ll always have the excellent naturally-aspirated variant to fall back on.
Editor’s note: The image above does not depict the upcoming turbo Subaru BRZ’s engine, but the force-fed flat-4 under the hood of the automaker’s WRX STI high-performance sedan.
I would love to get my hands on one of those…
I had a feeling you’d approve of this. The power-to-weight ratio will be strikingly similar to your old FD’s…
Hehe. Well, close…but no cigar. The FD was right around 8.5 lb/hp (330hp and 2800lbs). This BRZ would come in around 10.7. (I just had to put the record straight so as not to slight the memory of that great car. ;)
Haha true. I guess I shouldn’t have said “your FD” and instead put “the FD,” implying a stock model.
And anyway it’s all about the gearing. Shorter rear end ratio and the turbo BRZ could take you. :)
I kid, I kid…
Was the SVX discontinued?