We're just a few hours from the in-person release of the Subaru BRZ Concept STI here at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show, but Subaru has already let fly with official images and some details on everyone's favorite why-the-hell-isn't-it-out-already rear-drive coupe. So, technically, this is a concept based on a concept. Inception? Yo dawg I heard you like concepts so....?
According to the press release, the team focused on "pure handling delight" with the BRZ Concept STI, "by making full use of the horizontally opposed boxer."
There are STI touches -- wheels, quad pipes, fender flares, diffuser -- a lower front spoiler hanging off the hexagonal grille and a silly rear wing that Subaru swears adds downforce to keep the car going in a straight line at high speeds.
We also have a carbon-fiber roof here which, combined with the already super-low center of gravity should make for a more tossable car.
Subaru doesn't go into performance detail on the 2.0-liter boxer, but it does say it has a square bore of 86mm-by-86mm.
It's 166.5 inches long, 71 inches wide, 50 inches high and has a 101-inch wheelbase. Tires are 215/45R18 up front and 225/45R18 out back.
Look for real shots from the show floor later today.
ed124c says:
09:18 AM, 11/16/11
Why do they keep showing the wing? Aaagh!
louiswei says:
09:19 AM, 11/16/11
Paging Stovt001 for the "I am sick and tired of waiting", "what's the point, my Miata does it all", "this car will never come out" and badge-engineering comments.
altimadude05 says:
09:25 AM, 11/16/11
Door handles must be optional equipment.
stovt001 says:
09:48 AM, 11/16/11
Hi Louis. I'm here. And CALLED IT!
coolb944 says:
09:59 AM, 11/16/11
Hmmmm, the wing has wider set mounts in image 2 as compared to 3. Which is the real one?
No matter anyway, as that wing wouldn't be standard (nor would I want it, just give me some underbody trays, venturi tunnels, a rear diffuser, and more discrete lip spoiler to create the downforce). I personally like the wheels and quad pipes, even though somehow it's a problem for a lot of people that this has quad pipes with "only" ~200hp. Not to me, they look great, and it IS a sports car. If I owned it, it would be my car anyway, no one else's, so I think the only opinion that matters as far as how it looks is mine.
moparbad says:
10:12 AM, 11/16/11
Larger wing is needed.
Two exhaust tips per cylinder and type R sticker are suggestions for improvement.
lt1boy says:
10:15 AM, 11/16/11
It's not nearly as big as the wing on the new Dodge Charger, so stop complaining.
ed124c says:
10:21 AM, 11/16/11
@It1boy: But is the Charger's wing as ugly as the Subaru's? Oh yeah, bigger is better. Crank the wing up to eleven.
louiswei says:
10:25 AM, 11/16/11
@ stovt001,
Called what? Everyone and their mothers knew the one in LA Auto Show is going to be a concept. The production version will be unveiled in two weeks at the TOKYO MOTOR SHOW.
Mark my words.
deagle13 says:
10:33 AM, 11/16/11
By STi standards that wing is pretty tame...
coolb944 says:
10:49 AM, 11/16/11
@louiswei
I think Subaru has hinted, if not outright said, they're going to have the production version at the Tokyo Show.
It would be lame to have Toyota take all the glory for the intro of this sports car anyway, right?