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DC Auto Show: Sat in the Subaru BRZ

Yes, how did they teleport it from detroit to DC without going through the states in between? (sorry, couldn't resist).
 
What was your first impression after sitting in the car? Im sure it's hard to make too many conclusions without driving it, but just curious on your thoughts.
 
What is your impression of the auto show this year ? I have been to the DC Car Show the past couple years... Have been happy until about a year or two ago and stopped going....
 
Yes, when will they make a version with 270-300 hp and enough torque to actually feel like there are more than 1.4 hamsters under the hood actually spinning in their wheels?
 
1. How was the quality of the interior? The fit and finish?
2. Were there any visible molding seams on any of the plastic?
3. Did it feel sturdy and nice, or was it flimsy and cheap?
4. Were cup holders correctly placed AWAY from the stick shift?
5. Were the seats easily adjustable, or were they some weirdo setup like a Mini?
6. Did the pedals feel good; were they properly placed for heel-toe action?
7. What about "cool factor" for the interior? Was it cool, or just another interior?
8. Were the seats comfortable?
 
Auto show on the whole was ok. I went last night and the place was empty. The Italian-looking FIAT girl is hot. And one of the Audi girls named Meaghan was cute and very helpful and informative.

What were my highlights? Hmmm...

Upstairs Highlights (Domestics)
-2013 Ford Fusion (turntable): Much better looking than the Camry, Accord, etc.
-2012 Ford Focus ST (accessible): Meh. Seems riced out. Chincy. Should have gone the understated direction of the MZS3.
-Otherwise did not care for any GM/Chrysler/FIAT products.

Downstairs (Foreign Makes)
-2013 Mazda CX-5 (turntable) should be a success. I really like this new design direction. Probably a worthy competitor to the BMW X3, etc.
-2012 Audi RS5: Arguably the hottest normal car at the show. I would probably take one over an R8.
-Audis in general: WTF is up with the proprietary audio input cable? No standard 3.5mm AUX input jack???
-2012 Audi S7: Night vision system is impressive!
-2012 BMW 328i Sport + 6MT + Turbo 4: I like it. I think it's another 3 series I would like to own. Too bad the new 1 is so fugly because the 3 is getting too big.
-2012 Volvo S60 R-Type: I am a Volvo fan. Nice looking cars.
-Lamborghini Aventator: Pure sex. Orgasmic.

-Other exotics included the Ferrari FF and California. No 458 Spyder 🙁
-A Rolls Phantom, Ghost, some Maseratis, Lotus (Evora, Exige, etc.)
-No Porsches 🙁
 
slugg said:
1. How was the quality of the interior? The fit and finish?
2. Were there any visible molding seams on any of the plastic?
3. Did it feel sturdy and nice, or was it flimsy and cheap?
4. Were cup holders correctly placed AWAY from the stick shift?
5. Were the seats easily adjustable, or were they some weirdo setup like a Mini?
6. Did the pedals feel good; were they properly placed for heel-toe action?
7. What about "cool factor" for the interior? Was it cool, or just another interior?
8. Were the seats comfortable?
Click to expand...

Wow. You are testing my memory and my < 5 minute experience 🙂

1. Interior seemed well put together, yet sparse. All black leather and plastic. Overall good fit and finish for such an early production. But nothing fancy or overly complex either. Just simple.

2. Not that I can remember but I did not bust out the magnifying glass.

3. I would say sturdy. Solid. But all black and sparse. Simple.

4. Don't remember. I don't drink in my cars, so I don't care.

5. Easy to adjust. Simple action. I put the seat all the way down and got into a comfortable position for my short 5'5" frame. Once bottomed out, I almost felt like I had to look up at the "wall of dash" in front of me. Seemed high. Not quite like "laying down" in the car as I would in a Porsche 911 but not "sitting" either like in say the VW Golf R. Somewhere in between. Side bolsters and overall seat comfort was very good. Seats are designed with "side-to-side" acceleration in mind; they should keep you in place.

6. The biggest disappointment of the car I sat in: an auto tranny with flappy paddles. Not an MT. DOH!!!

7. As I said, it seems functional. Sparse but designed for the driver. Nothing fancy. But I prefer this compared to say the chiny factor of say the 2012 Focus ST.

8. Answered that.


Overall, I personally kept comparing the car to the Miata. In 1990, the Miata brought a simple, effective concept to market the revolutionized the small sports car market. It was fun, simple, and put a smile on your face. This is what came to mind looking at the BRZ. This could be a Miata of sorts: Fun, reliable, simple, efficient. And in fact, I would personally cross-shop the BRZ with a power-hard-top Miata.

The BRZ felt solid but sparse. I wish the model I sat in had the MT as well as a sunroof. And even though the car does not scream as much rice as say the STi, I think there were a few minor Ricey aspects of the car, to include the spoiler. I would like to see a version without a spoiler or perhaps a more conservatively styled one. Also of note: the side vents are purely cosmetic.
 
In regards to the spoiler, the model I sat in was gray but was otherwise identical to this model pictured. The spolier has these flared notches on each side that disturb some of the clean lines. I would like to see a spoiler without these flares or no spoiler at all.

2013-subaru-brz-photo-432993-s-1280x782.jpg
 
Oh, two more comments:

1. The back seats are not that usable. Maybe slightly better than say a Porsche 911. But not by much.

2. Trunk room was decent. Not very deep but decently wide and long. Rear seats do fold down. Otherwise trunk area was about as sparse/simple/cheap as one could get. Simple felt carpet, etc.
 
brainhulk said:
did u get to ask the rep if there was any plans for a future turbo?
Click to expand...
I read somewhere that they placed the engine too far back to allow for a turbo. Their goal was entirely focused on handling, allowing no compromise like turbo packaging. But that did come from Subaru, so don't be surprised if in a few years their "engineering excellence" allowed them to overcome the challenge...
 
Why on earth isn't Subaru selling this as an AWD car? That's their entire brand right there. AWD in everything.
 
sjwaste said:
Why on earth isn't Subaru selling this as an AWD car? That's their entire brand right there. AWD in everything.
Click to expand...

The placement of the engine so far down and back (much more so than in a WRX) makes it impossible to make this car AWD.

The goal of this car was to create a rear wheel drive, light, affordable, good handling, and fun car. They weren't trying to create a smaller WRX.
 
If you all want me to do a close-up inspection of the thing with more pics, I can always go back. Anyone want to PP me $12 admission? 🙂
 
brufleth said:
The placement of the engine so far down and back (much more so than in a WRX) makes it impossible to make this car AWD.

The goal of this car was to create a rear wheel drive, light, affordable, good handling, and fun car. They weren't trying to create a smaller WRX.
Click to expand...

Welcome to AT!
 
I like the BRZ, but I don't know if 200 hp and a mere 170 lb-ft of torque are sufficient figures. Sure, it weights 2670 lbs, but I'd like to have seen 280 hp and 250 lb-ft.
 
Safeway said:
I like the BRZ, but I don't know if 200 hp and a mere 170 lb-ft of torque are sufficient figures. Sure, it weights 2670 lbs, but I'd like to have seen 280 hp and 250 lb-ft.
Click to expand...


Hmmm. How about a BRZ with that new BMW N20 turbo 4 putting out 245/260 (hp/torque)?
 
GTaudiophile said:
Hmmm. How about a BRZ with that new BMW N20 turbo 4 putting out 245/260 (hp/torque)?
Click to expand...

That's definitely a start. The turbo adds low-end torque and the 245 hp figure reflects a 20% increase in horsepower. Again, I would love to see a BRZ with closer to 300 hp. Talk about the potential for wheel spin. As it stands, I gander that it will take an additional $6,000 to produce that kind of output - and that's after the aftermarket community engineers a proper supercharger or turbo kit and supporting modifications. Such an upgrade isn't for the masses.

Maybe Subaru will come out with an STI version that does produce 300 hp stock. Until then, that marketshare is going to buy something else.
 
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