Performance Review: Subaru BRZ 2L - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Subaru BRZ Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Subaru BRZ 2L is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 W-Motors Lykan HyperSport 3.7L Twin Turbo.This particular Subaru BRZ has a 1998cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F4's includes the 2010 Subaru Impreza STI CS 400 - Cosworth - Hatch

The BRZ shares its Petrol F4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2010 Subaru Impreza STI CS 400 - Cosworth - Hatch and the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205 Spec C - Hatch. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the BRZ's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1253 kgs (2762 lbs) this makes the Subaru BRZ 2L in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Subaru BRZ shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V F4 engine produces 197 bhp (146 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F4 throws out 151 lb-ft (204.7 Nm) @ 6400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Subaru BRZ you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d (182.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Subaru BRZ.

The Subaru BRZ has a Power to weight ratio of 157.2 bhp per ton and 120.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 BRZ competing with the 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d (182.2 bhp per ton) or the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (182.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Subaru BRZ generating around 120.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1992 Volkswagen-VW Corrado 2.9 VR6 (145.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2004 Audi A4 2.0T FSI (145.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the Subaru BRZ 2L as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This Subaru BRZ 2L is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the BRZ and the 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8

When talking about the performance of the Subaru BRZ on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.19 secs @ 90.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 (15.14 secs), the 2005 Dodge Magnum 5.7 V8 RT (15.14 secs), and the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive (15.14 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Subaru BRZ 2L has a maximum speed of 143mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 BRZ equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Subaru BRZ 2L then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), or the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (154 mph).

Related Links:

2012 BRZ Rivals List.

A Brief History of Subaru

Car Comparison