Subaru BRZ: The Co-Development Partner

The Subaru BRZ is the Subaru-branded version of the jointly-developed Toyota 86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ platform — a car that exists because Toyota and Subaru formed a rare partnership to build an affordable rear-wheel-drive sports coupe. Subaru provided the chassis engineering (specifically the front-mounted boxer engine layout), while Toyota (through Toyota Racing Development) handled the styling and performance tuning. The result was the first Subaru RWD production vehicle in decades.

The Co-Development Story

In 2006, Toyota's then-CEO Katsuaki Watanabe announced his desire to build "a fun driver's car for young people, affordable and lightweight." Subaru's CEO Yasuyuki Kobayashi agreed to partner on the project. The two companies had overlapping interests:

• Toyota wanted an affordable sports car to compete with the Mazda MX-5 and revive enthusiast interest
• Subaru wanted to diversify beyond AWD sedans and prove boxer engines could work in a sports coupe

The project (internally called "Project 086" at Toyota) kicked off in 2007 and launched in 2012.

The FA20 Engine

Both the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ used the FA20 — a 2.0L naturally aspirated boxer engine:

• Displacement: 2.0L (1,998cc)
• Output: 197-205 hp depending on market and year
• Layout: Front-mounted horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder
• Injection: Direct + port (DI + PI) for emissions and throttle response
• Redline: 7,400 rpm

The FA20 was optimized for low-end torque and throttle response. It was deliberately not turbocharged — this was a naturally aspirated sports coupe in the tradition of the Mazda MX-5.

The Subaru BRZ Tuning Philosophy

The BRZ was tuned slightly differently than the Toyota 86/FR-S:

• Softer suspension at launch (later firmed up for the 2017+ facelift)
• Slightly different steering feel
• Optional STI performance upgrades
• Separate marketing from the Toyota/Scion

Both cars shared the same chassis, same engine, same transmission, same suspension mounting points. Differences were cosmetic and tuning-only.

Production Variants

Subaru offered the BRZ in:

• BRZ Premium: Base trim with essentials
• BRZ Limited: Leather interior, heated seats, upgraded audio
• BRZ tS (tuned by STI): A 2018 special edition with STI-tuned suspension, carbon fiber rear spoiler, Brembo brakes
• BRZ Series.Blue (2015-2017): Performance package

The 2022 Second Generation

Subaru launched an all-new BRZ in 2022 with:

• New engine: FA24 (2.4L boxer, 228 hp, better low-end torque)
• Updated chassis: Stiffer frame, revised suspension
• Refined interior: Modern infotainment, better materials
• Toyota-led development: This generation was more Toyota-driven than the first

Today's Market

First generation (2012-2020):

• Clean Limited or Premium: $18,000-$28,000
• BRZ tS: $25,000-$35,000

Second generation (2022+):

• New: $28,000-$34,000 MSRP
• Used: $25,000-$30,000

Legacy

The Subaru BRZ is the quiet half of the 86/FR-S/BRZ partnership. It proved that Subaru could build a proper RWD sports coupe when the engineering made sense. More importantly, it kept a category alive — the affordable RWD sports coupe — at a time when most manufacturers were abandoning it. For drivers who want a modern, lightweight, manual-transmission sports coupe at a reasonable price, the BRZ is the Subaru answer to the Miata question.