RE: Subaru BRZ MY17 facelift details

RE: Subaru BRZ MY17 facelift details

Tuesday 6th December 2016

Subaru BRZ MY17 facelift details

"A comprehensive update to further cement BRZ as the driver's car of choice" - here's the important info!



It was more than four years ago now when PistonHeads first compared the BRZ and GT86 Toyobaru coupes, the twin-test eventually drawing 239 comments. The verdict? There were differences between the two, but they could only be separated on personal preferences rather than any ability gap.

Because who cares about less than 5,000rpm?
Because who cares about less than 5,000rpm?
Since then the GT86 has been covered more extensively, the BRZ a much rarer car by the sales stats. Now, following the 2017 model year updates for the Toyota, the Subaru has also received a slight facelift.

Subaru says the work improves every area of the car, "refining the driving experience whilst enhancing sports car appeal." To those ends, the 2.0-litre flat-four has stronger cylinder blocks, buffed and polished valve stems, a lower friction cam and light rocker arms. All in the details, right? Despite unchanged power and torque, Subaru claims it's "a more responsive, fuel efficient engine."

Dynamically, the BRZ also incorporates a Track mode for the stability control as well as retuned dampers for improved ride and additional cornering precision. Oh yes, and a Hill Start Assist for city-dwelling BRZ drivers.

Wheels, spoiler and lights are new
Wheels, spoiler and lights are new
Unsurprisingly, much of the changes inside mirror those seen in the GT86: there's that LCD display in the instruments, featuring a lap timer and a G-force meter, plus a new (and smaller) steering wheel with more Alcantara and leather for "upgrading the feel of components". And there's a new airbag. It's an improvement, certainly, albeit nothing to worry a TT owner.

To the exterior design, finally. The new front end is said to improve air flow, while the headlights are all-LED; note as well the wheels, spoiler and rear lights are tweaked too. The new BRZ will be available from the Spring in SE Lux trim only but manual or auto gearbox choices. Prices will follow soon, but early BRZs - of the few that are available - start at £15,000.



   
Author
Discussion

kayzee

Original Poster:

2,781 posts

180 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Glad to see the lights have been improved... and the wheels. However no static pictures yet?

untakenname

4,953 posts

191 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Four years on and still no substantial power update frown
The gearstick in the interior shots looks a bit wrong.

Garybee

452 posts

165 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Interesting that they have felt the need to strengthen the block. Are these known for issues in that area?

DeanHelix

135 posts

154 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
kayzee said:
Glad to see the lights have been improved... and the wheels. However no static pictures yet?
Let me google that for you...


kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Garybee said:
Interesting that they have felt the need to strengthen the block. Are these known for issues in that area?
Maybe an attempt to make it even more tuner-friendly?

Hellbound

2,500 posts

175 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Garybee said:
Interesting that they have felt the need to strengthen the block. Are these known for issues in that area?
Perhaps it's an early Easter egg for those who go down the FI route when modifying their cars. "Here's a stronger engine chaps..."

DeanHelix

135 posts

154 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
There's also a promo video that's worth a look;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y9z6VmSraU


daveco

4,122 posts

206 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
untakenname said:
Four years on and still no substantial power update frown
The gearstick in the interior shots looks a bit wrong.
Much like the MX5, it's one of those cars with exploitable power at a reasonable price. I'm sure if they upped the power and kept it NA, the price would jump by a considerable margin as well.

If it had 250hp and wider rubber, would it be as enjoyable a car to find the limits of? scratchchin

Ved

3,825 posts

174 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
daveco said:
untakenname said:
Four years on and still no substantial power update frown
The gearstick in the interior shots looks a bit wrong.
Much like the MX5, it's one of those cars with exploitable power at a reasonable price. I'm sure if they upped the power and kept it NA, the price would jump by a considerable margin as well.

If it had 250hp and wider rubber, would it be as enjoyable a car to find the limits of? scratchchin
Are any NA engines making that power per cylinder today and passing emissions? That's the issue here and you have to admire them for keeping it NA, probably to not step on the toes of the incoming big brother.

TartanPaint

2,981 posts

138 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
I heard the g-meter reads from -0.1 to +0.1!






biggrin Just kidding. Love the BRZ and the facelift.

5harp3y

1,942 posts

198 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
New wheels are great!

KTF

9,788 posts

149 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Is there really no difference between this and the GT86 other than very minor styling differences? You could basically toss a coin to choose the one you want?


kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
KTF said:
Is there really no difference between this and the GT86 other than very minor styling differences? You could basically toss a coin to choose the one you want?
I believe they have different spring and damper rates so they do drive slightly differently.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Deckchair, Titanic, in this country at least.

big_rob_sydney

3,394 posts

193 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
I would really love to see one of these with 350 bhp or so. Imagine the power-to-weight and how much fun it would be compared to other choices.

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
big_rob_sydney said:
I would really love to see one of these with 350 bhp or so. Imagine the power-to-weight and how much fun it would be compared to other choices.
If you really want one, there are people who will make it for you.

Alex

9,975 posts

283 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
kambites said:
I believe they have different spring and damper rates so they do drive slightly differently.
The current models have different spring rates, but is that true after the facelifts?

C7 JFW

1,205 posts

218 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Still an incredibly tempting car to buy brand new and go to town on modifications wise.

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
Alex said:
kambites said:
I believe they have different spring and damper rates so they do drive slightly differently.
The current models have different spring rates, but is that true after the facelifts?
On the basis that they haven't mentioned anything, yes!

If they changed the spring and damper rates they'd be singing it from the hills, marketing types won't resist that opportunity.

ian2144

1,662 posts

221 months

Monday 5th December 2016
quotequote all
It's still got that lump of black plastic on the front where the number plate is fitted, just one of the reasons Why I went for the GT86. The Toyota was also better finished inside.