Reports on the wires this morning suggest Subaru is working on a turbocharged BRZ with as much as 280hp going through its (hopefully gold) wheels. Subaru engineers are busily developing a turbocharged version of the brand’s new 2.0-liter flat-four engine. Slated to power the next-gen WRX, the mill could also find its way under the hood of the BRZ coupe.
2014 Subaru BRZ STI – Front 3/4 view
The boxer engine will feature a single twin-scroll turbocharger to help reduce lag and a direct fuel injection system that Subaru is developing on its own. Thanks to these and other internal modifications, the flat-four will make up to 280 horsepower and 250 lb-ft. of torque, a big bump over the normally-aspirated BRZ’s 200 ponies and 151 lb-ft. of twist.
while Subaru appears to be embracing the cries from auto journalists and the General public to offer the BRZ with more power, Co developer Toyota/Scion remains quite. We have previously heard that the Toyota’s TRD division was considering bolting on a supercharger however the Scion drift team is running turbo’s under the hoods of their cars so we will have to wait and see.
2014 Subaru BRZ STI – Rear 3/4 view
W would expect the STI version of the BRZ to be offered as a 2014 model and are hoping that TRD takes a different approach to so that these two cars can finally obtain their own unique personalities.
Our insiders have been telling us all along that the Subaru BRZ 2.0-liter flat four boxster engine would be receiving a turbo. Subaru and Toyota have been vehemently denying the rumor during the initial launch of the “Tokyo Triplets” who would be the Subaru BRZ, Scion FRS and Toyota GT-86 models. Yesterday we saw the first official confirmation from Subaru that what we have been reporting all along has the possibility of coming true in the year 2014.
It was announced yesterday that a turbocharged version of the BRZ’s engine will be used in the Japanese market to power the refreshed Subaru Legacy and will find its way in to the next generation Subaru WRX. The turbo FA20 engine has been reported to be output just under 300 hp and will tip the scales at a very impressive and capable 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. These stats are staggering as our insiders were previously suggesting that the Turbo BRZ STI would be tuned to 270 hp. Either or the current engine in the BRZ is capable of outputting a clean and even 200 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque.
Subaru’ s FA20 Turbocharged 2.0-liter Boxer Flat Four
The new turbo FA features Subaru’s own direct-injection setup, as opposed (boxer-engine pun intended) to the BRZ’s Toyota-derived direct- and port-injection heads. We think the 2013 BRZ is an extremely capable car and with its 200 hp powering the rear wheels, it is incredible well balanced and predicable. A version of the car that has an increase in power of 33% sounds like pure lunacy and we can’t wait to drive it.
Subaru BRZ STI Concept Car
Stay tuned to Car Rolodex for Toyota’s TRD division when the step up to the microphone and announce that they will in fact be bolting a supercharger on to the same engine and equipping the FRS and GT-86 with it.
To read more about the Toyota/TRD, Supercharger Rumor Click Here: http://wp.me/p1sgG3-HF
Long gone the days when Car manufactures could outright lie about their car’s performance numbers, horsepower ratings, and fuel consumption figures. Thank fully us Automotive journalists are around to keep them honest and ensure that there is no monkey business is taking place.
Today it is the Tokyo triplets who are going to be on the hot seat as we have found a video of the Scion FR-S variant being rowing the gears as it has its engine power numbers verified on a Dyno/rolling road. Toyota, Subaru and Scion all tell us that their co-developed trio of rear-wheel drive sports coupes, namely the 86/GT86, BRZ and FR-S, are powered by the same FA20 2.0-liter flat-four that produces 200 horsepower and 151 lb-ft (205Nm) at the flywheel.
The result of the test saw the naturally aspirated flat four cylinder engine output a maximum of 173hp at 7,000 rpm and a peak torque rating of 143 lb-ft from 2,800 rpm all the way through to 6,500. It is important to remember that these numbers were calculated at the wheels where as the manufactures power numbers are calculated at the engines fly wheel. The slightly lower power to the wheel numbers are normal and expected and can be attributed to the power loss that normal by a cars transmission. In the 2013 Scion FR-S a loss of 14% is perfectly acceptable and in line with industry trends.
Now if only they could tune the exhaust to make it sounds like a throaty two door sports car we’d fall absolutely head over heels with it. But I guess that’s why Toyota’s TRD division is still kicking around for.
Would you be interested in a convertible version of a Toyota GT-86 or the Scion FR-S here in North America? How about a Subaru BRZ that has blown its top right off? Well hold on to your hats or tops even because Toyota has announced that they will build a convertible version of at least the Toyota edition of the Tokyo Triplets.
2013 Toyota GT-86 - Imagine it with its top off
Earlier today the chief engineer of the GT-86, Tetuya Tada was Speaking with German car magazine Autobild. During that interview he confirmed that the company is working on the development of an open top model. “The GT 86 was designed from the outset to be built as a convertible,” Tada told the publication.
So look out Mazda Miata or MX-5 Toyota and possibly even Subaru has you in your sites and they are hungry to take back some market share to reassert themselfs as the number one auto market in the world.
Imagine no more - We present the 2014 Toyota GT-86 Roadster
No timeline was given on when the car was looking to be developed by but when we find out we will let you know.
Very rarely does Chris Harris miss the mark on a car which is why our excitement level has just increased 10 fold after watching his review of the Toyota GT-86. For those of us in North America the car will be known as the Scion FR-S or the Subaru BRZ however in Chris’ native Europe it will be branded as a Toyota. Even though we personally feel that the car is under powered Chris still manages to get the rear a little sideways as he runs around a track in Spain.
The video is clearly the best one yet on the newly created drive channel and is the first true review of the newest front engine rear wheel drive car coming out of Japan. Chris seems like a kid in a candy store to be able to drive the car and truly has made us think that this car is truly something to get excited about. If you have a few minutes to kill this Friday afternoon or of you come across this posting during the weekend you will have to trust us when we say it is well worth watching.
We have all heard the phrase that a picture is worth a thousand words and in case it certainly is as we track down the first pictures of the Toyota GT-86 / Scion FR-S receiving the TRD treatment. This rumour was started back in the summer when the then called Toyota FT-86 had its brochure leaked on the internet. On some of those pages there was evidence that Toyota’s TRD division had a slew of bolt on aftermarket part that would be ready to go when the car was released.
The 2013 Scion FR-S - Caught wearing its TRD socks and shoes
Well the cars were recently announced at the Tokyo Motor Show and the North American version will be branded a Scion wearing an FR-S name plate. We have now uncovered a photo of a lone FR-S sitting in a garage some were in Japan equipped with TRD parts. As you can see form the picture the brakes have been upgraded and the suspension appears to have been lowered. There have been some minor aerodynamic upgrades as well, mainly the lip spoiler that is now hanging off of the trunk lid.
The 2013 Scion FR-S - Showing off its new Aero Kit
We would have loved to have seen under the hood to confirm the rumors that TRD has a supercharger kit ready to go that will bump the horse power to the Subaru BRZ WRX level of 265 hp. We have also read rumbling on GT-86 fan sites that indicate a tuned exhaust system may also have been developed by TRD. You will have to check back to our site later to receive confirmation that the FA20 2.0-liter 4-cylindat boxer engine will receive forced induction like it’s Subaru stalemate. The TRD-tuned Toyota GT-86 / Scion FR-S are expected to be revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January.
2013 Scion FR-S - All dressed up with no where to go
To catch up on the other rumors that are circling these Tokyo triplets see the links below.
It seems that the theme of the week on Car Rolodex has been the “Tokyo Triplets”, who are also known as the Subaru BRZ, Toyota GT-86 and the Scion FR-S. Our coverage of these highly anticipated cars continues today as we have uncovered a pair of Japanese based videos showcasing the Subaru variant of the trio.
The first vid is short but gets its point across rather well, which is of course that when you rev the co-developed Subaru/Toyota 2.0-liter engine the car will respond with what can only be described as a uniquely flat 4 sound track. We can’t wait to hear the addition of a turbo blow off valve as the FA20 engine has been slated to get the additional hardware when the WRX version of the BRZ is launched. Today however if you are curious as to what 200hp sounds like in a low slung 2+2 rear wheel drive sports car you will have to look no farther than below.
The second video released by “SubaruOnTube” is comprised of some slick looking CGI of the BRZ engine components in action. If you are not 100% familiar with what a horizontally opposed boxer engine looks like this video will help out. We can’t say that the Japanese techno beats were 100% necessary, fortunately it is also a short clip so it shouldn’t drive you to crazy.
Yesterday in an interview with Motor Trend’s new Editor-in-chief Ed Loh, Subaru confirmed that it will in fact be building a turbocharged version of newly co-developed 2-liter flat 4 boxer engine that powers the new 2013 Subaru BRZ. This comes just 2 days after the Tokyo Motor Show was buzzing about a supercharged version of the motor being placed under the hood of the Toyota GT-86, Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S triplets.
2013 Subaru BRZ 2.0-liter flat-4 engine bay. Do you see room for a turbo?
Now before you storm into your Subaru dealership demanding to put a deposit down on a turbocharged WRX BRZ, it is important to highlight that Subaru has only confirmed that the FA20 engine will be receiving a turbo. Subaru has not confirmed that the BRZ will be receiving that turbo motor, they have only said that they will build one. The leap of faith that we are taking is that since the FA20 motor is only found in the BRZ and there is an over whelming out cry for the car to have more power to compete with other segment rivals like the Hyundai Genesis coupe and Nissan 370Z. One can only assume that a turbocharged version will power that particular car, no? Can one then also assume that it will be branded the WRX model like other turbocharged Subaru’s that exist in their line-up?
We were never good a crossword puzzle growing up but we did excel at connect the dots and this puzzle has been the easiest one yet. That is unless Subaru decided that the newly confirmed turbocharged engine will appear in another of their cars, which would make the aftermarket scene very happy as well.
The big question that standouts in our minds is that fact that there are now confirmed rumours out there of the FA20 engine bolting on a supercharger as well as now a turbocharger. Could Toyota and Subaru be heading in different directions for their high performance models? Have the TRD and STI performance divisions’ agreed to disagree on how to soup up the co-developed 197bhp 2-liter flat 4 boxer engine?
We sure hope so as what is life without a little choice? Currently the only real choice between the 3 is based off of brand loyalty, exterior paint colour and price.
To read more about the supercharging rumour click here.
To read more about the WRX and Turbo rumours click here.
Only the darling triplets of the Tokyo motor Show could 2 days later one up themselves by letting the world know that they will be increasing the horsepower of the cars by bolting on a supercharger. It is expected that the Toyota GT-86, Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S will see a bump in about 50 hp. The existing Subaru sourced 197bhp 2-liter flat 4 boxer engine will benefit from a supercharger which should all increase the low end torque numbers.
The increases in torque will surly lower the cars 0-100 km/h time, which is currently sitting at 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 230 km/h. Which is quick enough to compete in the hot hatch segment. But is not nearly fast enough to compete with or better yet take some market share away from the likes of Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro or even the Nissan 370Z.
As a result we are not surprised that Toyota has decided to increase the power. We are also not surprised about the timing of the announcement which has happened just two days after the Subaru BRZ (the last of the triplets to be announced) was introduced to the world. As these three companies have been teasing the world with these cars for the past year.
The internet rumour mill has been a buzz ever since the announcement stating that the Subie BRZ will finally be able to add the WRX badge to the back of the car. No word if the GT-86 will receive the TRD treatment however we can confirm that they are looking into revising the suspension.
Stay tuned for more updates as this Japanese press machine churns it out.
After watching this movie we are not sure if Subaru will be marketing the new 2013 Subaru BRZ to men or even as a high performance sports car. Instead we get an introductory video that has us listening to soft emo chick music while we watch the new BRZ being lazily driven around a closed road course.
The video doesn’t make any mention of the cars 2-liter horizontally-opposed boxer engine packing 200-hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, 6 speed manual, or the cars 17-wheels and rear wheel drive only architecture.
What is perfectly clear is that the BRZ will be the Pontiac Vibe in this joint development relationship with Toyota, making the pricing of the BRZ and GT-86/FR-S a key selling point as performance and styling look to be on par with each other.
