Test Subaru BRZ with an automatic: Farewell to the sports car for every day

The Subaru BRZ of the second generation probably does not need a long introduction, after all, we had it for the first time in a test already in the summer of last year. At that time, however, we tested the classic configuration, i.e. with a six-speed manual transmission, which is the only acceptable choice among those interested in a compact sports coupe with an atmospheric engine and rear-wheel drive.

However, like the first generation, the new Subaru BRZ is also available with a six-speed automatic transmission. And although it is obvious that it will be a less sought-after model among customers, the automaker has imported several cars. And among them, one journalist, which we got on loan for the test.

The motivation for borrowing it was primarily curiosity, perhaps a little mischievous, as at first we couldn’t think of any reason why anyone would actually order this great driving machine with a gearbox that usually has the potential to kill most of the fun. But understanding came soon.

Subaru BRZ test: A sports car close to perfection

Tests

Among the various intergenerational innovations, such as the often-inclined strengthening of the engine with a higher volume, increased body rigidity or further optimization of the chassis, there was also an improvement in the technological equipment. And that doesn’t just mean the larger eight-inch infotainment.

You can easily recognize the new Subaru BRZ with an automatic transmission just by looking at the windshield. For the first time, it offers the EyeSight safety assistance system, well known from other models of the brand, which uses a pair of cameras to warn of potentially dangerous situations.

We normally curse the assistants in sports cars, but with an automatic transmission, the BRZ no longer acts as a car for sweeping districts, but as an everyday companion. In addition to the traditional warning of dangerous situations, EyeSight also brings adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and other practical functions that make long journeys more pleasant.

For purists who see the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ as some of the last truly driving cars on the market, these can be unnecessarily annoying systems. For people who are looking for a fun car to drive every day with the ability to make the journey from work more pleasant, but can be welcome assistants. Plus, they’re pretty easy to turn off.

However, looking at the exterior, you would look for other changes in vain. The tested car was given the characteristic blue color of Subará, for which, however, you still have to pay an extra 12,000 CZK. Only worth mentioning is the optional Miltek exhaust system at a price of CZK 31,000, which beautifully enhances the characteristic sound of the flat four-cylinder, without being unnecessarily disruptive at lower revs.

But now up to the cabin, which at first glance has hardly changed compared to the version with a manual transmission. Even the automatic selector has a similar knob to the one offered by the manual. The automatic transmission allows manual shifting with the paddles under the steering wheel and the selector itself, but unfortunately, a higher gear is shifted by moving forward, while a lower gear is shifted backwards. In other words, the opposite of what is customary with racing cars.

The automatic transmission with hydrodynamic converter itself is based on the TX6A transmission, already used in the previous generation of Toyobaru, but it has undergone a significant transformation. Due to the transmission of higher power and torque, it received new blades, but at the same time, thanks to the modification of the software and shift logic, it promises better and faster shifting.

It is not surprising that the BRZ with an automatic transmission starts off pleasantly smoothly, but I realized the main advantage shortly after picking up the car, when I ended up in dense Prague traffic. While during the tests of a car with a manual transmission, after half an hour of working with the stiffer clutch pedal, I got a little tired and felt the urge to change to the tram, with an automatic you don’t have to worry about anything like that. Shifting is also smooth and fluid.

After leaving the city, however, I quickly began to notice the sensitivity of the car to the movement of my foot on the accelerator. During a leisurely ride, the transmission kept the engine running at normal speeds, but as soon as I indicated a stronger pedaling, it quickly downshifted and waited for the opportunity to get the best out of the engine.

At the same time, the BRZ has never been one to tear the asphalt, with a 2.4-liter boxer-type engine newly tuned to 172 kW (234 hp) and 250 Nm of torque, but in the version with a manual transmission it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, while the machine takes 6.9 seconds. The maximum speed is also slightly worse. While the manual manages 226 km/h, the automatic only 216 km/h.

But the Japanese coupe from the joint development of Subaru and Toyota was never about driving in a straight line. The main domain of this car is the corners, in which the automatic was probably the most surprising. If you want to have fun, switch the transmission to manual mode. The gearbox responds to the commands of the paddles almost immediately and gives the driver complete freedom. It will calmly let you go all the way to the limiter without immediately changing gears.

However, the new automatic Sport mode, which works with information about the longitudinal and lateral acceleration of the car, is also great. Before passing a bend, the transmission starts downshifting earlier and more forcefully, during the passage it holds a lower gear for a longer time and later shifts up. An experienced driver will probably always be able to drive through a corner faster or more stylishly, but I still had the need to swerve before the behavior of the Subarac automatic.

In addition, you do not have to worry about losing the ability to slide. There is still a self-locking differential between the rear wheels and the car is still beautifully legible. If you throw it slightly before a turn, you can also treat yourself to an elegant controlled skid pass. And if oversteer catches you off guard, you can always correct it very simply by moving the steering wheel and pedals.

The intergenerationally improved steering system is very sensitive and gives a feeling of complete control over the car. I also appreciate the quality of the chassis, which, although stiff, is not uncomfortable, does not bounce, and I personally liked its tuning more than in the Toyota GR86. The differences are not only in tuning, but also in the components used.

Overall, I surprisingly enjoyed the week with the Subaru BRZ in the automatic. With my height of 183 cm and a more spacious body, the cabin gives me a more cramped impression, but I was completely satisfied with the sporty shaped seats and the perfect ergonomics of the control elements, where everything is at hand and you still control most of the functions with mechanical controls.

In terms of practicality, the quite usable trunk, including the possibility of folding the rear backrests, as well as plenty of storage compartments in the cabin, pleases. The rear seats are more of an upholstered storage shelf for other passengers’ outerwear or smaller luggage, but you can at least take children for shorter distances. However, adults will suffer here.

The consumption is also quite acceptable, which can be maintained at around 9 l/100 km with a little effort. But if you start to enjoy driving a little more, prepare for values ​​of around 10 l/100 km. The petrol tank has a volume of 50 litres.

Driving a Subaru BRZ with an automatic transmission pleasantly surprised me as a result. In fact, I found myself with the heretical idea that I would prefer an automatic to a manual. For my needs and driving style, it would suit me a little better. In addition, when searching among used cars, there is a chance that cars with an automatic transmission will not have such a difficult life behind them.

The used car market will soon be the only chance to buy a BRZ. Due to the new European directives, it will not be possible to register new Subaru BRZ or Toyota GR 86 cars in the EU starting this summer. Both car companies stopped taking orders for new cars ahead of time and are now emptying their warehouses.

Europe will lose two available sports cars this year, we asked about their availability in the Czech Republic

AutoMoto

According to the Czech representative office of Subaru, around the last 20 cars remained in dealer warehouses at the end of April. So if you’re seriously considering the Subaru BRZ, there’s really nothing to wait for. We probably won’t see more similar cars in the Czech Republic, and probably in the whole of Europe. At least in the near future.

At the same time, you can still get a Subaru BRZ at a great price. While the model with manual transmission starts from 1,030,000 CZK, the one with automatic transmission starts from 1,080,000 CZK. Add to that 12,000 CZK for metallic paint and 31,000 CZK for a tuned exhaust. The resulting price of CZK 1,123,000 is still great for the amount of emotions and fun that the BRZ can provide.