Joy to the world, a new sports car has been revealed. Earlier this week, Subaru unveiled the second-generation BRZ, and it looks to improve upon the original that first made its debut way back in 2011. One of the main highlights of the redesigned sports car is its engine, which finally answered the demands from fans for more power.
Under the bonnet, the new BRZ is powered by a FA24D 2.4 litre naturally-aspirated boxer four-cylinder petrol unit that makes 228 hp and 249 Nm of torque, which is an improvement over the first-generation model’s FA20D 2.0 litre engine that offered 205 hp and 212 Nm. That’s all well and good, but why didn’t Subaru opt for turbocharging to squeeze out even more power?
This question was posed by Road & Track during the launch of the BRZ, and the reply from Dominick Infante, director of communications at Subaru of America, is that doing so would have led to a lot of comprises.
According to Infante, the BRZ’s 2.4 litre unit is essentially the turbo-less version of the FA24F used in the Ascent. The engine used in the three-row SUV features a bottom-mounted turbocharger, and fitting that system in the BRZ would have required engineers to raise the engine height.
The result would be a higher centre of gravity for the sports car, which would have a negative impact on its handling prowess, something that Subaru isn’t willing to do for more power. Furthermore, a turbocharger adds weight that could upset the car’s “near perfect weight distribution,” not to mention cost to the package – just look at the Mazda 3 Turbo – detracting from the BRZ’s ethos as an affordable and lightweight sports car with engaging handling.
Aside from the larger displacement and higher outputs, the new engine also has a higher redline of 7,500 rpm, which is an increase of 100 rpm from before. Compared to the outgoing BRZ, peak torque now comes in much earlier at 3,700 rpm instead of 6,400 rpm, while peak horsepower is reached at an unchanged 7,000 rpm.
Subaru engineers also made it a point at giving the new car a significantly flatter torque curve, which was something the first-generation model could not provide – current owners are probably very familiar with the FA20D’s torque dip from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm, which was slightly remedied with the facelift.
Despite all these improvements, there will still be enthusiasts that will lambast Subaru for not giving the new BRZ a turbocharger. Seeing how the previous model had a vast number of aftermarket upgrades available, it shouldn’t be long before we see tuning companies come up with forced induction solutions to satisfy the power-hungry crowd.
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the Toyota 86 always an affordable and lightweight sports car in the guise of Lotus and MX5. Used rekon 2018 Toyota 86 rm120k only.
Kesian Toyota RV drop like a rock. So the high RV was a myth after all
Show me a 2018 model with RM120k.
Show me a 120k 2018 model, please
Toyota GR Yaris
short wheelbase, 370Nm 272PS, Manual,
1,280kg
More powerful than Toyota 86 Coupe.
comes with bespoke Rally engine.
GR-4 AWD with twin Torsen locking differentials.
Toyota Rally, Track ready competition car.
Subaru BRZ also very good, beautiful rwd machine for its price, no lack of fun.
Old 86 Brz already fun, now more power!
Toyota GR Yaris copied from Proton Iriz R5,
The engine continued to adopt
Toyota D-4S for the boxer engine, its good, powerful, less sludge and can comply emission regulation.
But with 2400cc NA, coming to Malaysia,
More expensive than 2000cc taxing?
Simply cause big boss benefactor Toyota does not want turbo so Subbie had to exclude a turbo as in the previous generation.
Turbo brz/ 86 gonna be more powerful than supra 2.0 and Toyota won’t allow that for their flagship model.
Its not about out and out acceleration but rather linear power delivery and natural handling winding roads which promises more fun.
Proven formula by looking at the number of sales.
Why can’t they fit the turbocharger in front of the engine if not on top of it.
But anyway, NA is more fun to drive, and feels more grown up.
Bcoz of the engine configuration, that’s the closest place to the cylinders to minimise turbo lag as much as possible.
Subaru are experts in engine packaging to minimise turbo lag. See their multiple WRC wins. Powers that be, don’t allow them to even try.
WRC got anti lag, goes pop pop… Not really good for road production car, especially for catcon.
Only Ah Beng needs turbo for this kind of car
Nope. for same price rather buy ford Mustang tebu
the front just got uglier
the real reason no turbo because want to save cost.
Why AE 86 not turbocharged?
Want turbocharged ? Buy WrX
Want turbo RWd ? Buy supra
Want all of that in one car rather than spending to buy 3? Get a GTR lol
Just say wanna save cost lah, how hard can it be. At this age of car technology, almost every brand switches to turbo for better fuel efficiency and torque only certain brands like Subaru and Toyota remains stagnant.
Higher center of gravity konon, just say you guys don’t want to innovate.
Lame excuse, don’t they have engineers? Fix the problem, rather than giving excuses.
I thought non turbo version was an agreement initially put in place together with toyota during the early collaboration phase. At least in the first 2 generation.
Wow….. a botched new exterior with a puffy face and the engine from the lowest rated Subaru model .
Dud. Looks old. Clunker engine .