Subaru’s game-changing BRZ sports car is on-sale locally from 16 July – with a twist. The only way to secure one is on-line at www.subaru.com.au
Global demand for Subaru’s stunning sporty coupe is extreme so - in an Australian first - Subaru is selling the BRZ exclusively on-line. If you want a hard-copy of the brochure or specifications, visit a Subaru dealer or download and print them, but the purchase process (including sales contracts, finance calculator and trade-in valuation) is all on-line.
Unlike its Toyota 86 sibling, the Subaru BRZ is being sold in just one high-specification model grade with ‘Driveaway’ prices of $37,150 (six-speed manual) and $39,730 (six-speed automatic).
It’s a smart move from Subaru to embrace on-line sales. The company says while it will review the on-line sales process at the end of the first quarter next year, few, if any prospective BRZ customers do not have web access (other car companies take note – virtually all new car buyer research these days is done on-line at sites like www.carshowroom.com.au ).
The on-line sales process for the Subaru BRZ has many customer advantages:
• Uniform, transparent National Driveaway Price
• Time-efficient
• Complete – includes trade-in valuation, finance, insurance, sales contract
• Let’s you see inventory, availability and arrival times
• You nominate your preferred Subaru dealer for delivery
• A dedicated customer support person will keep you updated on your order and delivery
“We believe that the online purchase will provide transparency in supply, pricing and delivery expectations that match our high standards,” revealed Subaru Australia chief, Nick Senior. “Our aim is to provide an exclusive experience. Every BRZ we sell will be numbered and customers will be able to log on and receive updates on the status of their BRZ.”
One of the most anticipated new Subarus…well, ever really…is in such demand worldwide that only 201 BRZs are coming to Australia between now and 31 December. The BRZ pages will go “live” on www.subaru.com.au at 12:00 noon on Monday 16 July – best to move fast to secure your BRZ.
Of course one of the problems for Subaru BRZ supply is that Subaru also manufactures the hot-selling Toyota 86 at its Gunma Main Plant in Japan. If you open the boot of a Toyota 86, eagle-eyed observers will notice a small ‘SUBARU’ stamped into the metal.
And while the BRZ removes Subaru Australia’s ‘all-4WD’ exclusivity, the rear-wheel-drive sports coupe delivers the high-performance driving dynamics one associates with Subaru – in fact some of the technology is a development of the WRX STI. Securing the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating for the BRZ means Subaru’s range-wide five-star status is unchanged.
Subaru enthusiasts will be delighted to see clear differentiation between the BRZ and Toyota’s 86.
Climb inside and the BRZ immediately looks and feels like a Subaru. For starters, WRX STI owners will identify the Rev and Red Zone indicator which enables the driver to set the engine speed at which the buzzer and warning light activates to prompt an up-shift.
The small (365mm) steering wheel is shared with the Toyota 86 and offers height/reach adjustment. Like the 86, the sporty seats (leather/Alcantara on the options list) featuring red stitching and metallic highlights, are supportive and the driving position is top-notch.
Audio is a six-speaker single CD system with iPod and Bluetooth connectivity.
As the Subaru BRZ is a sports car, luggage space isn’t massive (217-litres with the rear seat in place) – you’ll need that seat folded to accommodate golf clubs.
On the outside, the Subaru BRZ is available in an exclusive WR Blue Mica paint colour (the other six colours are shared with Toyota) and runs unique, thin-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45R 17 Michelin Primacy HP tyres. On-road presence is fantastic.
Of course we know the mechanical specifications. Power comes from a specifically-developed Subaru FA naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle boxer engine with Toyota direct injection fuel injection delivering 147kW at 7000rpm and peak torque of 205Nm at 6600rpm. Drive is to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic - with ‘Sports’ mode and downshift throttle-blipping – and Torsen limited slip differential.
Fuel consumption is rated at 7.1l/100kms (automatic) and 7.8l/100kms (manual).
And, as we know, wherever you look in this car are details which show the purity of its design and execution to be a ‘fair-dinkum’ sports car. Things like the low, aerodynamic front-end (helped by the radiator inclined by 17-degrees), weight distribution (53:47), low centre of gravity (engine crankshaft is shin-height and the plastic 50-litre fuel tank wraps over the driveshaft ‘saddle’ style and has indentations on-top for low mounting of the rear seat) and advanced MacPherson strut front/double-wishbone independent rear suspension (the rear a development of the WRX STI suspension).
Without doubt the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 are the cars of 2012. To secure your BRZ, plan to be on-line from midday on Monday 16 July.
