The Subaru BRZ, or the Subaru version of the Toyota GT86 may be discontinued if Toyota and BMW's joint venture on the developement of a high performance sports car gathers momentum. The chief engineer responsible for the Toyota and Subaru versions, Tetsuya Tada, had stated in an interview with www.Drive.com.au that the program with the German brand could be expanded to include the next 86.
The engineers are currently examining whether to keep the current 2.0liter flat four engine or replace it with something more conventional, or in my opinion, something 4 cylinder with a turbocharger that allows for better emissions and torque (as well as downsizing the engine even more).
As for the short term, The chief engineer also stated that the BRZ and the 86 may have a larger displacement Flat Four in the near future or a different intake and exhaust manifold to increase horsepower. Everyone who I've met, whether having driven a 86, BRZ or not driven any don't really seem to be all of that impressed with the performance of the car. Granted, it may have the sweetest chassis this side of a Lotus Elise is still feels awfully short of power in an era where 0-100kmh in around seven point something seconds is normal for a hot hatch. You put a box-like Golf GTI at the traffic lights and a BRZ wouldn't even know which way the box went when the lights turned green. Yes, it is pure and all that, but in this day and age, purity needs to be a Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0. Note the huge normally aspirated engine that still allows huge torque.
2.0liters, 200hp but less than 200Nm torque is normal, and Toyota and Subaru has realised this. I suppose they thought they could bring back the glory days of a pure sports car. Unfortunately, everyone wants more than just purity. Unless, it's a 4.0liter GT3 again. And in car tax crazy Malaysia, no one really wants a RM245,000 sports car that is slower than a hatchback. In fact, pay RM10,000 more and you could get a rally special WRX STI that is waaaaay faster than the BRZ.
So there you go folks. Get purity while you can. If you want such a thing, that is.
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