Car and Driver Review

Deslock · 04-25-2012, 06:56 AM

Article
Specs
Handwritten Sheet
Route Overview

Some notes:

Code:

0-60        6.3 sec
1/4 mile   14.9 sec

MPH at 7400 RPM
1st     36
2nd     58
3rd     84
4th    106
5th    128
6th    139 (6150)

Weight:
LF     757
RF     770
LR     629
RR     606
Total 2764

%FR   55.2/44.8
%LR   50.1/49.1
COG   18.0" high

A minor discrepancy: they have a rounding error for max speeds gears. If 2nd is really 58 MPH, then 1st is 35 MPH and 3rd is 83 MPH (not accounting for possible tire deformation). It seems more likely that 2nd should be 59 MPH.

Looks like the official curb weight (which includes fluids, fuel) is pretty accurate, which is slightly disappointing as I was hoping it'd be closer to 2700 pounds (and some were predicting less than 2600 pounds). It's no biggie as it's still a reasonable weight (and without fuel it ought to be ~2690 pounds).

I'm a little surprised that 5-60 is a full 1.7 sec slower than 0-60. For purposes of comparison, from caranddriver:

Code:

year car        0-60   5-60   diff
2013 BRZ        6.3    8.0    1.7
2009 WRX        4.7    6.3    1.6
2009 RX-8 R3    6.7    7.7    1.0
2006 MX-5       6.5    7.4    0.9
2005 RSX-S      6.2    6.9    0.7
2004 RX-8 (40k) 5.9    7.2    1.3
2004 RX-8 (new) 6.6    7.4    0.8
2003 S2k        5.4    6.9    1.5

Not sure why there's an even a larger difference than the S2k and WRX. The mid-range torque drop isn't enough to account for that... apparently this engine really lugs below 2000 RPM (at 5 MPH it's under 1000 RPM).

My favorite spec:

Quote:

UNDERSTEER ............................... NONE

A few amusing quotes from the article:

Quote:

our car sounds more like the offspring of a microwave oven and a vacuum cleaner

Quote:

Overall, the car feels as trim, nimble, and athletic as the great sports coupes of the pre-bloat era.

Quote:

the ride is definitely Porsche-like. The BRZ corners flatly, and the suspension is stiff and buttoned down; it lets you feel every bump without a hint of harshness. There’s a real purity of motion here, an unmediated connection between car and driver. In some ways, it’s like the world’s slowest superbike.

The last paragraph sums up the car nicely:

Quote:

Could the BRZ use more power? Sure, it could. And the Route Napoléon could use more switchbacks. Subaru has acknowledged that the BRZ’s engine is the basis for the next turbocharged powerplant in the Impreza WRX, so more power is probably on the way. But we’ve seen that movie before. In the ’90s, Japanese automakers increased performance and price until they lost touch with the *market they’d created. In its current state, the BRZ’s balance of attributes needs no tweaking. It offers razor-sharp handling with limits that let you exploit the car’s capabilities on the street, all at a sweet price. In that sense, the BRZ is the perfect everyday sports car, even if you’re not driving on a perfect road.

P.S. Coincidently, their track sheet was filled out by "KC".

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Ranatsu · 04-25-2012, 12:03 PM

So I looked at the gear ratios posted on cars101.org and the tire diameter according to michelin.. and second gear should be topping at 61 mph@7400

KC · 04-25-2012, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deslock

P.S. Coincidently, their track sheet was filled out by "KC".

Pure coinkidink.

--kC

Calamity Jesus · 04-25-2012, 02:54 PM

I bet the 5-60 has something to do with a lazy throttle-by-wire mapping in the lower revs... possibly emissions related. Hopefully it's something that the tuners can remove easily.

Deslock · 04-25-2012, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranatsu

So I looked at the gear ratios posted on cars101.org and the tire diameter according to michelin.. and second gear should be topping at 61 mph@7400

It appears that the rolling diameter is actually ~23.95" rather than the ~24.6" that you get by calculating it.

RallySoob · 04-28-2012, 02:16 PM

what about the BRZ STi with carbon roof... does that one have a turbo? I would think the STi edition will perform much better. Im considering buying the STi vets if it ever comes to production as Im sure it will in 2012/2013 ...assuming its got the performance increase that an STi has over a WRX. I've been through one 04 rex, an 05 STi and now on an 06 STi. By far the best cars for the money but it has its downfalls. This lil nimble autocross special looks promising in the STi outfit

Deslock · 05-02-2012, 07:12 AM

The corresponding video:

2013 Subaru BRZ Limited vs. Route NapolÃ©on - YouTube

And MotorTrend's FRS video:

2013 Scion FR-S: A New Hope? - Ignition Episode 14 - YouTube

Calamity Jesus · 05-02-2012, 03:45 PM

Re: the C&D video..

At 3:00 (while in France) he says he's travelling about 60 or 70mph and the engine is turning just above 2,000 rpm.

At 6:40 (while in the USA) he says he's travelling at 70mph and the engine is turning "just a little over 3,000 rpm".

I'm guessing the discrepancy is due to him making the first comment while driving the 6AT equipped BRZ.

spaceywilly · 05-02-2012, 04:01 PM

yes, the gear ratios are different between the AT and MT

Code:

Transmission ratios 	6-speed manual	6-speed automatic
1			3.626		3.538
2			2.188		2.060
3			1.541		1.404
4			1.213		1.000
5			1.000		0.713
6			0.767		0.582
R			3.437		3.168
Final drive ratio	4.100		4.100

mrmojoz · 05-02-2012, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RallySoob

what about the BRZ STi with carbon roof... does that one have a turbo?

Nope.

Calamity Jesus · 05-02-2012, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaceywilly

yes, the gear ratios are different between the AT and MT

Code:

Transmission ratios 	6-speed manual	6-speed automatic
1			3.626		3.538
2			2.188		2.060
3			1.541		1.404
4			1.213		1.000
5			1.000		0.713
6			0.767		0.582
R			3.437		3.168
Final drive ratio	4.100		4.100

I thought they had completely different final drive ratios as well.

spaceywilly · 05-02-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calamity Jesus

I thought they had completely different final drive ratios as well.

Those are the official specs from SOA. Only the non-LSD manual in Japan (RC tuner model) has a different FD.

http://media.subaru.com/index.php?s=...3&mode=gallery

equiraptor · 05-02-2012, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deslock

Some notes:

Code:

MPH at 7400 RPM
1st     36
2nd     58
3rd     84
4th    106
5th    128
6th    139 (6150)

For comparison, my '06 Miata 6-speed is (source):

Code:

1st     31
2nd     53
3rd     73
4th     102
5th     120
6th     144

In my personal testing, it actually reaches ~135mph in 6th, running out of power around 6,000 rpm (no, I did not do the math to verify that, just glances at the gauges). The 2009 and later 6-speeds have different gearings, and of course the automatic versions have their own gearings. Oh, and the Miata will hit 35mph in reverse. I've had mine bouncing off the rev-limiter, going backward, in gymkhana.

Depending on who does the test, the 5-speed Miata is likely to be faster to 60, as its 2nd gear makes it to 63mph. One fewer shifts means less time shifting, means faster. The 5-speed is also better for autocrosses, as Miatas regularly reach ~60mph on course, but rarely make it faster than the ~65mph that a 5-speed Miata could reach on slightly differently sized tires. It looks like the 6-speed BRZ will be ok on tight courses, but will have "rev limiter or shift?" concerns on the more open ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deslock

I'm a little surprised that 5-60 is a full 1.7 sec slower than 0-60. For purposes of comparison, from caranddriver:

Code:

year car        0-60   5-60   diff
2013 BRZ        6.3    8.0    1.7
2009 WRX        4.7    6.3    1.6
2009 RX-8 R3    6.7    7.7    1.0
2006 MX-5       6.5    7.4    0.9
2005 RSX-S      6.2    6.9    0.7
2004 RX-8 (40k) 5.9    7.2    1.3
2004 RX-8 (new) 6.6    7.4    0.8
2003 S2k        5.4    6.9    1.5

If I should have RTFA'd, let me know, but is that MX-5 the 5-speed or 6-speed? See above for the reason behind my curiosity.

OrbitalEllipses · 05-03-2012, 04:09 AM

Too lazy to check this myself, but how are 5-60mph tests conducted? Row through the gears?

We'll see if Calamity's theory is right, which it could be simply due to precedent. The precedent being emissions related lazy tuning, IIRC? I wonder how long it will take the community to come up with a tuning solution, as it seems like COBB won't be jumping on the development train until they gauge the market. They've never liked the N/A market...

05-02-2012, 04:01 PM	#9
spaceywilly Scooby Specialist Member#: 174268 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Providence Vehicle: 2002 WRX, 2013 BRZ	yes, the gear ratios are different between the AT and MT Code: Transmission ratios 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic 1 3.626 3.538 2 2.188 2.060 3 1.541 1.404 4 1.213 1.000 5 1.000 0.713 6 0.767 0.582 R 3.437 3.168 Final drive ratio 4.100 4.100

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04-25-2012, 12:03 PM	#2
Ranatsu NASIOC Supporter Member#: 87314 Join Date: May 2005 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: San Antonio Vehicle: 2013 BRZ Crystal Black Silica	So I looked at the gear ratios posted on cars101.org and the tire diameter according to michelin.. and second gear should be topping at 61 mph@7400

04-25-2012, 02:54 PM	#4
Calamity Jesus Scooby Guru Member#: 44501 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: in a minefield of caddishness. Vehicle: 1984 "Skeletor from "He-Man"	I bet the 5-60 has something to do with a lazy throttle-by-wire mapping in the lower revs... possibly emissions related. Hopefully it's something that the tuners can remove easily.

04-28-2012, 02:16 PM	#6
RallySoob Scooby Specialist Member#: 74872 Join Date: Nov 2004 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Salem, OR Vehicle: 2006 STi White/Black	what about the BRZ STi with carbon roof... does that one have a turbo? I would think the STi edition will perform much better. Im considering buying the STi vets if it ever comes to production as Im sure it will in 2012/2013 ...assuming its got the performance increase that an STi has over a WRX. I've been through one 04 rex, an 05 STi and now on an 06 STi. By far the best cars for the money but it has its downfalls. This lil nimble autocross special looks promising in the STi outfit

05-02-2012, 03:45 PM	#8
Calamity Jesus Scooby Guru Member#: 44501 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: in a minefield of caddishness. Vehicle: 1984 "Skeletor from "He-Man"	Re: the C&D video.. At 3:00 (while in France) he says he's travelling about 60 or 70mph and the engine is turning just above 2,000 rpm. At 6:40 (while in the USA) he says he's travelling at 70mph and the engine is turning "just a little over 3,000 rpm". I'm guessing the discrepancy is due to him making the first comment while driving the 6AT equipped BRZ.

05-03-2012, 04:09 AM	#14
OrbitalEllipses Scooby Specialist Member#: 178811 Join Date: Apr 2008 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: MoCo Vehicle: 2013 WRB BRZ :banana:	Too lazy to check this myself, but how are 5-60mph tests conducted? Row through the gears? We'll see if Calamity's theory is right, which it could be simply due to precedent. The precedent being emissions related lazy tuning, IIRC? I wonder how long it will take the community to come up with a tuning solution, as it seems like COBB won't be jumping on the development train until they gauge the market. They've never liked the N/A market...